Family Friendly Farm Stays: (2023)

Ballyboy House is located at the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains, outside Clogheen Co.Tipperary. Surrounded by beautiful grounds this charming farm stay offers B&B rooms in a lovely Georgian setting. With amazing mountain views of the Galty, Comeragh and Slievenamon ranges, Ballyboy House is set in 4 acres of gardens leading onto 75 acres of woodland walkways. Each of the rooms at Ballyboy House has an elegant, traditional design. And all the rooms have an en suite bathroom. Breakfast is served in the property’s grand dining room and you can also visit the tea room throughout the day, which serves home baking, tea and coffee. You can dine outside in the converted courtyard too, which has 400-year-old stone archways and lovely views. The nearby Vee Pass offers a dramatic drive through the Knockmealdown peaks. The river Tar, famous for its brown trout, runs through the farm and there is also a lake in the grounds, as well as the ruins of Ballyboy Castle. You can also go fishing, horse riding and walking in the surrounding countryside. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Our room was beautiful & literally our best night’s sleep in Ireland. The property in its rural setting was a breath of fresh air for winding down….” “Fantastic. Will be back! Beautiful house & grounds. Lovely walk with a river and views!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BALLYBOY HOUSE:   READ MORE

In KwaZulu Natal South Africa‘s Drakensberg Mountains, and beside the Giants Castle Nature Reserve this top quality farmstay serves exceptionally good food, award winning in fact, from a three course breakfast in the morning to a 6 course evening dinner using the farm’s own fresh vegetables and herbs. They have a wide range of very comfortable and nicely furnished rooms, cottages and suites and there’s a nice, sociable lounge area with a cosy fireplace. And the friendly hosts can arrange a whole range of services for you including room service, laundry, business center, horse riding, bicycle hire, guides/tours of the local area etc. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A truly wonderful relaxing and luxurious stay. Not only is the location magnificent but the staff are one of the best parts of the experience. The food is to die for and your comfort and enjoyment is their main concern, Absolutely superb! Thanks for a lovely stay….” “The room comforts were excellent. With regards to the food all needs were met. Everything we ate was delicious. The staff are well informed and always attentive….a wonderful stay, most relaxing and good for the soul….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT CLEOPATRA MOUNTAIN FARM: READ MORE

Diamond 7 Dude Ranch has self catering cabin accommodation on a 10,000 acre ranch near the town of Sundance, north east Wyoming, just 30km from the famous Devil’s Tower and close to the Black Hills National Forest in neighboring South Dakota. It offers an old style Western dude ranch experience where the owners are at hand to show guests around the ranch on horseback, and you can also get involved with moving cattle and feeding the animals, as well as fishing, hiking, swimming and visiting the local rodeo. They have a range of comfortable air conditioned cabins and cottages, all with Wi-Fi and satellite TV and outside on the grounds you’ll find a barbecue and a hot tub. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The cabin was awesome, and very nice inside. The horses and the ranch were beautiful & the deer and dogs. Well worth the money. I HIGHLY recommend it….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT DIAMOND 7 GUEST RANCH: READ MORE

L’Amandola Agriturismo is an ideal rural base for exploring Cinque Terre, one of Italy‘s most iconic and beautiful areas. It lies on a hillside just outside the historic coastal town of Levanto and you can enjoy some nice views over Levanto Bay and some great hikes around the surrounding hills and coastline. Levanto itself is not part of the Cinque Terre villages but is just a short train ride or drive away. Lying in the shadow of the Cinque Terre it tends to get overlooked by all but the most savvy foreign tourists and so retains a very local Italian feel. It has a very nice sandy beach and harbour, as well as an atmospheric historic center where you’ll find prices across the board much lower than in the tourist villages. THE ACCOMMODATION: L’Amandola agriturismo has five very nice B&B rooms and suites to sleep up to five people, and all of them, and the common areas, have a lovely traditional atmosphere. Their antique furniture and high, wood beamed, ceilings give gentle reminders that the farmhouse villa dates from the 17th-century and though offering the best in modern comforts; private bathroom with bathtub, WiFi & flatscreen TV, the property still retains a rustic charm. There is a dining area and lounge with a large open fireplace and some nice patio areas outside too along with the gardens and the farm. They have a range of native shrubs, flowers, herb plants and fruit trees including apricots, oranges, lemons and olives. They use a lot of their own fresh produce in their home made, traditional sweet and savoury Italian breakfasts and you’ll find it all excellent quality, generous and healthy. There is plenty of outside seating around the patios and gardens and they also have a thoroughly modern whirlpool hot tub where you can soak in the evening while taking in the views with a glass from one of their collections of fine wines. THE LOCATION: Being just 700 meters from Levanto train station the agriturismo is pretty convenient for anyone just arriving in the Cinque Terre area. The five villages can all be reached by train in minutes while the historic town READ MORE

  Brúnalaug is a cosy three bedroom holiday cottage on a family farm near Iceland’s second city, Akureyri and the Eyjafjörður Fjord in its remote north. The accommodation is comfortable and clean, the location very scenic and central to many of northern Iceland’s most lovely natural landscapes. THE ACCOMMODATION: The modern cottage comes with a nice lounge, a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, one double/twin room, one with a bunk bed and one single room plus the sofa in the living room can also be pulled out to sleep two more if needed, and cots can be provided for children. The comfortable lounge has a WiFi and a TV & DVD player while outside there is a large porch area with a barbecue and, best of all, a hot tub from where to enjoy some of the lovely scenery that surrounds. The farmer’s house is nearby and you’ll find them very friendly but completely non-intrusive. They grow a large range of fruit, vegetables, herbs etc. at the farm greenhouse though and so you can buy supplies of fresh produce to cook with should you need. Otherwise there are supermarkets in Akureyri, just 13km away, plus plenty of nice cafes, bars and restaurants. THE LOCATION: The nearest town is Akureyri, Iceland’s second city which, with a population of just 18,000, is a lot more sedate than Reykjavik. It also sees a lot less tourists and is therefore, for many visitors, a much more authentic place to be. The region is generally called Eyjafjaroarsveit, or Eyjafjörður Country, after the large fjord of the same name and is a wonderful place for all sorts of outdoor activities; hiking, horse riding, skiing, golf, bird watching etc. Make sure to do some whale watching at Húsavík and admire the spectacular waterfall at Goðafoss too. You can ask the friendly farm owners at Brúnalaug for more advice and recommendations, they’ll have plenty, and they can also help organize tours and excursions. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We stayed for 2 nights and had wonderful time in this warm and cosy house. Anna was so nice and told us many stories about Iceland, it’s culture, nature and people. READ MORE

This romantic little Welsh cottage is on a small working sheep farm in a secluded location in West Wales with its own, wildlife filled, pond right on front of the cottage. It’s in a gorgeous little spot; peaceful and quiet, but only a short drive from the university town of Lampeter and it makes for a very good base for exploring the rich countryside and coast of Ceredigion. The cottage is actually a converted barn dating back to the 18th-century and is full of character but wholly modern and comfortable, with all conveniences and a hot tub and BBQ just outside the door. There is one double bedroom, plus another sofa bed for one in a cosy alcove accessed by steps from the lounge area. The kitchen and lounge are open plan, the lounge comes with leather seating, a TV, DVD player and music system, and doors leading out onto the patio. There is a wood burning AGA heater/cooker in the lounge too and don’t worry you’ll have a good supply of logs all ready and waiting when you check in. The kitchen is stylish and clean and has all you will require, oven & hob, fridge, microwave etc. There is a washing machine in the outside utility room, and the property has one bathroom with shower. Outside in the patio you’ll find the nice wood fired hot tub as well as a barbecue and outdoor furniture. There is that lovely pond right on front of the cottage too, and around there is ten acres of farmland which has a flock of sheep and is a great place to spot wildlife.   READ MORE

Is Cheas is an organic, eco-friendly agriturismo farm stay near the beautiful beaches of the Sinis on Sardinia’s west coast. It has unique accommodation in the form of traditional Sardinian shepherd’s huts known as Pinettas. The small, 12 acre, farm produces citrus fruits, mushrooms, various vegetables & herbs They also keep some horses and have a small organic vineyard too. THE ACCOMMODATION: The unique accommodation is an updated version of the ancient Sardinian shepherd’s hut, the Pinetta. In the olden days they were of course basic, and no more than functional on the inside, but the ones at Is Cheas Agriturismo are beautifully designed and furnished, and they all come with private bathrooms, air-con, WiFi and mini bar. They can fit up to four people and are both thermally and acoustically insulated, making for a wonderful nights sleep under the rustic wooden vaults and branch roofs. You can be assured of comfort inside and the gardens outside are beautifully kept with lawns, flower beds and an outdoor swimming pool. There is an excellent restaurant at the agriturismo too with a range of Sardinian and Italian dishes made from locally sourced organic ingredients including their own. THE FARM: The agriturismo owners are enthusiastic about sustainable agriculture and though the farm is small it is carefully managed using crop rotation techniques and produces a lot of the ingredients for the restaurant’s fine food. There is a vineyard from where they get their home made reds, white and rosè wine, vegetable gardens, a citrus orchard and aromatic herb gardens, and they also keep some horses too. You are welcome to tour the farm and the friendly owners are a great source of information about eco friendly farming and food production. THE LOCATION: Is Cheas Agriturismo has a tremendous location for nature and beach lovers. Some of Sardinia’s best beaches are nearby including Sa Rocca Tunda, Su Pallose, S’anea Scoada and Putzu Idu, the latter being especially popular with surfers and from where you can take a speed boat to the little island jewel of Isola de Malu Entu. The coastal nature reserve of Oasi di Seu too is not to be missed. It is an untouched READ MORE

Just outside Franschhoek, South Africa, and about 45 km from Cape Town international airport, this luxury vineyard stay has a selection of spacious, very comfortable suites and chalets in a boutique, award winning winery. All have flat-screen TV and WiFi and private bathroom with bath. And you’ll also find a seating area and terrace or patio in certain rooms. It being a winery, the main theme is wine; red grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz), and some Chardonnay, their highly rated Blanc de Blanc MCC for example, and tours and tasting sessions can of course be arranged. The surrounding valley too is great to explore and rightly popular for golfing, hiking and cycling. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The location is beautiful with views over the vineyards and the mountains in the background. At night you can sit outside, watch the starts and have a braai (bbq). The room was clean, modern and great value for money. The bed was especially comfortable and I wish we could have stayed longer….” “You won’t want to leave! Stunning, spacious cottage with incredible views of the vineyards and mountains. Lovely to watch the sunset from the patio with a glass of wine. Would definitely visit again!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT TOPIARY WINERY:   READ MORE

Baglio Occhipinti is a peaceful rural retreat near Comiso Airport in the famous wine producing region of Ragusa, southern Sicily, known as the Cerasuolo di Vittoria. It offers stylish accommodation in a renovated 19th century manor house/winery that retains all of its rustic, traditional charm. Outside there are lovingly tended gardens with a swimming pool and the farm’s own vineyards and olive groves. You’ll find a cosy, family atmosphere at Baglio Occhipinti – they like to look after their guests – and there is some great home made organic food to be enjoyed too. THE ACCOMMODATION: The large farmhouse is a nice example of a traditional Sicilian manor house but one which has been carefully renovated, and with a great flair for interior design. It is spacious and minimalist, with lots of the old features showcased; wood beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls and some lovely pieces of antique furniture. They have seven rooms in total, mostly doubles, and all B&B. All of them are vintage style, comfortable and spotlessly clean, and have WiFi, central heating and air conditioning. In the main living room there is a large fireplace and plenty of space to relax and socialize with the friendly owners and the other guests. As mentioned before, the food is excellent here, from a generous fresh breakfast to some lavish evening meals. All of it is organic and home made with much of the ingredients coming from the farm itself. The menu is solidly traditional Sicilian and if you would like to recreate some of it at home they run daily cooking classes with the chef. And of course there is the wine, Baglio Occhipinti has its own selection of wines and they can be enjoyed with every meal. Outside there is a terrace area where you can also dine, manicured lawns and a swimming pool. Beyond that guests are free to wander around the farm and vineyards and to help themselves to the various fruits growing from the trees; oranges, figs and mandarins. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: The flat plains of this area of southern READ MORE

Domaine du Bas Chalus is a homely farm stay with a great variety of farm animals, near Forcalquier in Provence’s famously beautiful Luberon region. It is very popular with families and has a choice of larger rooms to accommodate up to four per room, as well as standard doubles. The accommodation is B&B and they can also offer meals throughout the day for an extra fee. Plus they sell some of their own homemade organic farm foods on site. There is an outdoor swimming pool in the gardens and guests are welcome to explore the farm and help out with feeding the animals if they wish. La Ferme du Bas Chalus is home to a whole range of animals. including horses, cattle, deer, pigs, rabbits, hens, ducks, and even a pair of emus. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing place, where it is possible to spend some time in contact with the nature and with the animals. beautiful and big rooms, very kind owners….” “Great place especially for children…they really enjoyed the stay with all the animals around and swimming pool…it was nice adventure for them..better than in the hotel…..” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT DOMAINE DU BAS CHALUS:       READ MORE

In Kukerin, Western Australia, on the route between Perth and Esperance, this very popular, eco-friendly farm stay has rooms and self catering accommodation and can make a great introduction to Australian outback rural life, with the extra novelty of it having a yabby (freshwater crayfish) packing plant at the farm. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have very comfortable B&B rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom, flat-screen TV and DVD player and some self-catering cottages which also have a lounge/seating area and full kitchen. Whether self catering or not you can arrange good meals, breakfast included, to be cooked for you at the farm, and as you might expect they do a nice range of yabbie dishes. You’ll find it a friendly sociable place and it has lots of outdoor space, with a barbecue and a children’s playground. THE FARM: The farm produces wheat, barley lupins and peas and, as mentioned above, has a large yabby packing centre. The owners started off in the nineties supplying just one restaurant in Perth, under the brand name Cambinata, but have expanded greatly since, supplying yabbies to far flung markets in Asia, Europe and the United States. The yabbies are supplied by around 700 farmers from all around Western Australia. THE LOCATION: The farm is just outside the tiny town of Kukerin (motto: Small But Strong), and just off the main road between Perth and Esperance. This is the heart of Western Australia’s wheat belt and Kukerin is a small, typically Australian farming community which is always friendly and welcoming to visitors. The distances here are large of course but there are a number of diversions relatively nearby. Drive for about a half an hour to the east and you’ll come to Lake Grace for example, with its natural salt lakes in various shades of pink and green and its wildlife filled nature reserve wildlife. And, less than an hour back to the west and you’ll come to another spectacular salt lake at Dumbleyung. You’ll find many of those iconic rocky outcrops towering over this part of Australia too, with two of Western Australia’s most well known; Bruce Rock and Wave Rock, both being within two hours of READ MORE

In the heart of lovely Umbria, Italy, Agriturismo Istrice Innamorato has self catering accommodation in a charming, classically Italian hillside farmhouse with gardens and an outdoor swimming pool. Their traditional style apartments have a lounge with TV, a full kitchen with coffee machine, a patio and barbecue facilities available in the gardens outside. The farm produces its own olive oil of which guests are welcome to sample and their breakfast is typical Italian style with pastries, croissants and good coffee or tea. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Great location. pool, nearby towns and villages. Quiet location, very peaceful and relaxing. Beautiful setting and pool….” “Exceptional: The hosts were perfect, excellent breakfast, perfect view and sunsets, the farm produces excellent olive oil and jams!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO ISTRICE INNAMORATO:   READ MORE

This luxury farm stay & vineyard hotel has a range of self catering chalets in beautiful Robertson’s Valley, Western Cape, South Africa. The farm produces wine and olive oil which the guests are welcome to sample. Each of their very stylish and comfortable chalet comes with a full kitchen, BBQ facilities, a cosy fireplace, plunge pool and private veranda. The farm also has a wellness center where massage and spa treatments are available. They have a range of other services too, including bicycle rental, car rental, airport transfer, laundry and ironing, dry-cleaning, daily maid service, gift shop, packed lunches and grocery deliveries. The friendly staff can also advise on some of the many hiking and biking routes in the beautiful countryside around the farm and can organize tours as well as the hiring of individual guides. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Second visit to this stunning farm. Will definitely be back. Chef Christopher is the best host and his breakfast basket with home made bread and croissants are amazing! The magical night sky with stars that stretch as far as the eyes can see and endless mountain views made out stay unforgettable…..” “My family and I had a wonderful time staying in this secluded, quiet farm cottage. We had breathtaking views of the mountain and the winery, and we were able to unplug and enjoy the natural beauty. The staff was friendly, professional, and super responsive….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT ORANGE GROVE GUEST FARM:   READ MORE

Farmer’s Guest House has self catering farm cottage accommodation near the towns of Selfoss and Hella and close to Iceland‘s famous Golden Circle tourist route. The setting is deeply peaceful and rural, with some lovely views, the cottages are well equipped, clean and cosy, and the farm owners are friendly and welcoming. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have three cosy one double bedroom cottages to rent as well as, for larger groups, a 160 sq meter farmhouse. You’ll find all of them modern, nicely furnished and very well equipped. The farmhouse has 4 bedrooms on the second floor, each with two single beds, a lounge area and a bathroom with shower. The first floor has the main living room, the kitchen and dining room and another bathroom. All in all it can sleep up to ten people with the help of two sofa beds in the downstairs living room. The cute cottages are nicely designed with a double bedroom, lounge area and kitchen. They’re just 40 sq meters but nicely designed and there is also an outside private terrace to enjoy the lovely scenery (there are views of both the Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes, and of Westman Island) and in winter to maybe catch a glimpse of those infamous Northern Lights. The farm is a working sheep and Icelandic horse farm and the friendly owners are always willing to show guests around, and they offer horse riding trips too. The accommodation is self catering and you can stock up on supplies in the little town of Hella, just 9km away, where you’ll find a a couple of grocery shops, restaurants and bars. THE LOCATION: The farm lies just 9 km west of the little town Hella in South-Iceland and 30km east from the regional capital Selfoss. This area is seen as the agricultural heart of Iceland, and is conveniently near the famous Golden Circle Route and the stunning Pingvellir/Thingvellir national park. This is original site of Iceland’s ancient parliament while also being the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. There are hot springs around this area too and dramatic waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss, and Gullfoss, the largest in Europe. The journey READ MORE

The consistently highly rated Baan Nork Organic Farm Stay is conveniently near to Thailand’s gorgeous Khao Yai National Park and to its capital city, Bangkok. It offers accommodation in cute little cottages and bamboo huts on a working organic farm which has, amongst other things, cattle, hens and a range of exotic fruits and vegetables. The location is beautifully peaceful and quiet, the accommodation, though basic, is very clean and comfortable and you’ll find the owners, who speak excellent English, welcoming and friendly. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are three double rooms at the farm stay plus a larger cottage which can sleep up to three people with the help of a sofa bed, a nice little bamboo hut, which is also a double and a little more space and more privacy than the rooms but doesn’t have a private bathroom. The outside bathrooms are large though, well maintained, clean and well equipped. There is no WiFi or TV here, it really is a place to get away from it all, but though it may lack in modern facilities it won’t disappoint in terms of comfort and cleanliness. The accommodation is all B&B and their traditional Thai breakfast is great, with most of the ingredients coming fresh, and organic, from the farm itself. They don’t do evening meals but the town of Pak Chong is just a few kilometers away where you can find some good restaurants and cafes, and the friendly owners can arrange transport if you need, plus they also rent bikes for you to tour the local area with. Guests are welcome to tour the farm, meet some of the animals, try out some of their exotic fruits, and learn a little about organic farming. THE LOCATION: A little less than two hours drive north of Bangkok city centre the farm stay is, as mentioned above, close to the local transport hub of Pak Chong so getting there is quite easy by bus, with Bandai Ma Railway Station also being nearby. The immediate area around the farm is rural and peaceful and a definite antidote to the fast pace of Bangkok. You’ll also find the climate more manageable, it READ MORE

  The Cabins and Cottages at Shale Lake is a lake-side self catering farm stay in the town of Williamson, just north of St. Louis, Illinois, with horse stables, a vineyard and a winery. They have a good range of very comfortable cabins and cottages, all with full kitchen and lounge, TV and DVD player though with no internet access and outside they all have a patio with a fire pit and barbecue facilities. There are some nice hiking and biking trails around the lake and you can arrange bike hire from the owners. The lake is of course a great place to fish (catch and release only) and guests are welcome to explore the horse stables and vineyards and taste some of their wine at the winery.   READ MORE

This lovely farm stay bed and breakfast inn is in Mount Carmel, Southern Utah near the Scenic Highway 89, and right across the street from Dixon House, the legendary Country music singer Maynard Dixon’s old home & recording studio, now a museum. The accommodation is in the form of spacious, old style cabins, with big wooden porches and lovely views of the surrounding countryside and a gorgeous backdrop in the form of the towering White Cliffs. The farm is also conveniently near three national parks; Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and, a little further away, the Grand Canyon. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a great range of cabins, rooms and suites to sleep up to six people (take a look on the booking page here), all of which are spacious and nicely furnished with a distinct old time country ranch feel. They all have at least a kitchenette so are self contained but guests can also enjoy to a generous and tasty home made buffet breakfast at the main farmhouse every morning. Outside you have a lovely wooden porch area with seating and barbecue facilities, and in the gardens there is a swimming pool and a hot tub and a lily pad gold fish pond. Then there are the orchards, vegetable & herb gardens from where some of the ingredients for the breakfast come from. The farm is large and has lots of marked pathways that you can wander around and, if you’re feeling energetic, you can head for a hike down to the nearby creek or around the White Cliffs. If you’re lucky you may also spot some of the local wildlife; Elk, Deer, Elk, Wild Turkey, Condors and Eagles to name but a few and be prepared to see the night time sky like never before. This is a low artificial light area where you can enjoy tremendously clear views of the stars. THE LOCATION: Arrowhead is around 15 minutes drive from the East Entrance to Zion National Park. This is the quieter side of the park, but has till some conveniences like restaurants and grocery stores. Farther on the Bryce Canyon National Park is around 60 READ MORE

Baby und Kinderbauernhof Wildfang has a beautifully scenic location in the Klostertal valley, 500 metres from the centre of Dalaas. They offer bright, modern and clean apartments at the farmhouse, all of which have a balcony to enjoy the fabulous views from. It’s self catering but you can also order some delicious home-made breakfasts if you so wish. THE ACCOMMODATION: All apartments come with a kitchen with all kitchenware and a dishwasher. From the balcony you can enjoy panoramic views of the surroundings mountains. Ski equipment can be stored in a separate room on site where they also have a boot dryer. They can also offer a very good breakfast for an extra fee, (though free of charge for children up to 12 years). You can also make use of the barbecue area in the garden while for dining out options you’ll find a few good restaurants just down the road in the centre of Dalaas. There are rabbits, cows, a cat and a dog on the farm, as a well as fruit trees and vegetable groves, and the owners produce their own jam and schnapps. THE LOCATION: The Sonnenkopf Ski Area is 3 km away and the Arlberg Ski Area can be reached by car in 20 minutes. There is also a small ski area in Dalaas for children and beginners from where you can actually ski straight down to the farm stay. Numerous hiking and mountain biking paths can be found close by, there is also an outdoor pool in the centre of the village and a nice adventure park for children just 3 km away. Be sure to ask the owners of Kinderbauernhof Wildfang for more recommendations of activities in the surrounding area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Fantastic location and we were made to feel very welcome. A perfect relaxing stay with a young baby. We all slept very well in the comfortable beds and enjoyed delicious bread rolls for breakfast, delivered to our door each morning. There is plenty to see and do in the area but even spending the whole day on the farm and playing in the garden was good….” “Superb. The kids loved READ MORE

This lively eco-friendly farmhouse stay in the village of Pömling, just 5 km from Melk Abbey in the heart of some typically beautiful lower Austrian countryside. The working farm has a whole range of animals; cattle, pigs, horses and ponies, with both horse & pony riding is available, and even a herd of red deer. They also have some smaller pets that children will love like guinea pigs and rabbits, and kids will also appreciate the outdoor playground and the natural bowling alley. The accommodation is in the form of self catering apartments which are all spacious and comfortable, and come with fully equipped kitchens and lounges with satellite TV. They also all have balconies with nice views over the gardens and the surrounding, beautifully rural, countryside. Guests at farmhouse can buy some of the many homemade farm products that the friendly owners produce on site and for other supplies there is a supermarket just 2km away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The studio was beautiful, atmosphere of the farm since it’s far away from Vienna was absolutely calming. Nature surrounds you, life is so simple and beautiful. The family who owns the farm are very nice people. The animals especially the horses are beautiful just to watch them. The walk outside the farm all the way to the plantations and forest is just stunning….” “Gorgeous sunny place with the lot of history, great place for children, the owners were fantastic. Incredible sauna…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BAUER & WIRT LANGTHALER:     READ MORE

  Ayayorgi Evleri offers high quality hotel type accommodation on a farm containing hens and ducks, olive trees and vegetable plots on the lovely island of Bozcaada, Turkey, about 3km from the ferry terminal. All their rooms have private bathroom, flat screen TV with satellite channels, air-con, WiFi, coffee machine and mini bar. And outside in the gardens they have a swimming pool plus plenty of seating and places to relax. They serve a really great buffet breakfast in the morning where you can sample some of their home produced vegetables, olive oil, eggs, pastries and jams as well as lots of other good food. READ MORE

Domaine Le Rianon is a veritable slice of rural idyll, deep in the heart of central France. It offers B&B rooms in a classic old-style French farmhouse, with lots of old wood and stone. The farm animals at Le Rianon include horses, donkeys, and hens. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The location, set on a rural countryside farm with horses, cows, chickens dogs, and cats was perfect for our little boy! The dinner was delicious as was the breakfast. We also enjoyed the tour of the farm, treehouse, and various gites the hosts have built themselves on the property – highly recommended!….” “Lovely place run by a lovely couple – clean relaxing & quiet – The place we were supposed to stay at had messed up the booking or perhaps we didn’t understand the booking process properly, but anyway the room in Montlucan was double booked and the other guests were in situ so this was an emergency last minute booking late in the day and what a find! It’s what you would definitely call a fortunate accident! the room and bed were so comfortable – Breakfast was lovely had a very nice swim before we left to continue our journey absolutely nothing not to like at this lovely spot totally recommended…..” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT DOMAINE LE RIANON:     READ MORE

Beside the popular ski resort town of Formiguères, Languedoc-Roussillon, southern France, the highly rated Le Calmadou farmstay has self catering accommodation on its working sheep farm where it produces its own range of cheeses. The surrounding countryside is peaceful and serene and the views from the farm are spectacular. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their very comfortable 95 square meter self catering apartment is part of a converted barn with traditional wooden beamed ceilings and can host up to 8 people. There are three bedrooms (two doubles and a twin), a lounge area with sofa bed and flat screen TV, a modern, fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and a 15 square meter outside terrace area. THE FARM: The farm is a fully working sheep farm producing and selling a good range of home made cheeses, yoghurts and spicy merguez sausages. Being at an altitude of 1500 meters the winters here are cold and so the sheep move indoors to the barns but the hospitable farm owners are always happy to offer tours of the farm and the cheese factory whatever time of year you arrive. THE LOCATION: Formiguères is a popular ski town and the farmstay is just 4km from the nearest slopes, so the location is ideal for winter sports. When the season ends it is also a great area for hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking. The wider area is part of the Parc Regional de Catalan Pyrenees which is a wonderful area to explore, full of wild scenery, mountains, lakes, including the famous glacial lake at Engolasters, and thick green forests. The borders with both Spain and Andorra are less than 20km away and so the region is also a popular stopping off point before crossing the Pyrenees. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We really enjoyed the tour around the sheep farm and the sheep’s cheese was beautiful! The gite overlooks the Pyrenees and we thoroughly enjoyed eating our breakfast on the veranda of a morning. We found the accommodation to be very homely, cosy, clean, relaxing and had a fully equipped kitchen. Thank you Francoise and Jean Pierre for our amazing stay :-)…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & READ MORE

This child friendly & pet friendly farm stay near San Sebastian in the Basque Country, has a range of comfortable, clean rooms in a classic Basque hillside farmhouse on its working sheep farm which also has a variety of other animals too. The Accommodation: All the rooms in their traditional style Basque farmhouse come with private bathroom, flat screen TV and WiFi throughout. There is also a shared TV lounge and a spacious shared kitchen where you are free to cook for yourselves, and the owners can also cook you a nice breakfast each morning for a few euros extra. It’s very much child friendly too; they have a play area well stocked with toys and plenty of games and other entertainment to keep them occupied. The Farm: The farmstay has a large working sheep farm that has over 400 sheep as well as a variety of other animals, ponies, which children can ride, some cows, horses, geese and even an emu. The Location: The location is super convenient for visitors to the lively, sophisticated, city of San Sebastian, and though it’s just 15 minutes drive from the city centre but is still a quiet rural area of typically Basque green hills, small farms and forests. It is a lovely place for countryside walks and hikes around the hills, especially down towards the coast and Monte Igeldo, which has spectacular views over San Sebastian and the Bay of La Concha (Kontxako Badia). You can organize guided horse riding trips around the area too from the farmstay. San Sebastian city, as mentioned previously is just 15 minutes away and if the countryside gets too much for you you can spend the day there at its beautiful beaches and busy town centre where you can sample some of what is considered the Basque Country’s, and Spain’s, best food. A special mention too of course for its pintxos, the regions own version of tapas, which is served in almost every one of its lively bars. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The place was very cosy and everyone in the staff was great, treating us with a lovely warmth! There were also a lot to do READ MORE

In the heart of the vineyards around Greve in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, and near to both Florence and Siena, Agriturismo Podere Campriano is a beautifully rustic, family owned organic farmstay that produces some quality wine and olive oil and offers cooking classes and winery tours. It is very much a peaceful little oasis but yet only a 5 to 10 minute walk to the town of Greve in Chianti itself. THE ACCOMMODATION: All their B&B suites and rooms (you can check your options on the booking page here), and their self catering apartment, are clean, spacious and tastefully furnished, and all have WiFi throughout. While outside in the gardens you’ll find plenty of space to relax, with a salt water swimming pool and barbecue facilities. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM, THE WINE & THE FOOD: Guests are welcome to wander the hillside vineyards and olive groves, and can also arrange guided tours of both the farm and the winery, to learn a bit about the production process and partake in tasting sessions. Their winery produces some quality organic wines as well as Bolero elixir, a unique type of grape syrup that they have been making at Agriturismo Podere Campriano for generations. The farm stay also has some helpful daily cooking classes where you can learn how to make some of the local specialities that make Tuscany, and Chianti, so famous in culinary circles. THE LOCATION: Tuscany might just claim to be Italy’s most admired region and if so Chianti could easily claim to be the Tuscany of Tuscany, so to speak. It is the very heart of the region and has a rural charm that manages to defy the masses of tourists that visit it every year. It is a place of winding roads, gentle green hills and fertile land that has been producing some of the world’s best wines and olive oil since at least medieval times. Dotted among this lovely countryside you’ll also find some classically beautiful Tuscan towns, none more so perhaps than Greve in Chianti itself, the gateway to Chianti, and the location READ MORE

Just outside the city of Kastamonu, in the Black Sea region of Turkey, Sadibey Hotel has B&B accommodation in a beautiful 130-year old farmhouse mansion surrounded by acres of farmland with horses, sheep and fruit and vegetable gardens. All its rustic, atmospheric rooms come with WiFi, flat screen TV and private bathroom. There is a top quality restaurant and bar at the property too, serving a traditional Turkish buffet breakfast and other meals throughout the day with some of the ingredients coming fresh from the farm. And in the grounds you’ll find a Turkish bath/hamam and also horse stables where you arrange horse riding lessons. The surrounding area is beautiful and great for hiking and cycling, and you can hire bikes from the farm if you need. There are winter sports too at the Ilgaz Ski Centre about 50km away. READ MORE

Lough Bishop House has a range of comfortable B&B rooms in a 19th Century farmhouse by the shores of Bishop’s Lough in County Westmeath, the very centre of Ireland. This is a family run organic farm with sheep, cattle, bee hives and an orchard, and the friendly owners will cook you a great breakfast in the morning with some of the produce coming straight from their farm. All guests are very welcome to have a look around the farm too and get to meet some of the animals. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The setting is amazing and the breakfast was absolutely fantastic!…” “Everything is wonderful here, the surroundings, the house, the rooms. Gorgeous breakfast and very gentle owners. Great!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LOUGH BISHOP HOUSE:     READ MORE

Château de Labro is a luxury B&B vineyard hotel & spa near the town, and international airport, of Rodez in what is now known as the Occitanie region of France, formerly Midi-Pyrénées. The property is a 16th century château that oozes elegance and old world class both inside and out. The food, and the wine, is fantastic and outside there are some beautiful gardens, vineyards and a swimming pool. One little novelty of the place is that they also have a luxury treehouse among the orchard trees in which you can spend the night (Look out for it on the booking page!). THE ACCOMMODATION: The above mentioned treehouse is the most popular option which is usually booked out well in advance. It’s quite a thing, more like a luxury double studio apartment than a classic treehouse, it even has a chandelier for example. A lot of people though may prefer to stay in the actual château which has marvelously romantic rooms, with four poster beds and antique furniture. Most of the rooms are doubles but they also have a family room to sleep up to four and a self catering apartment which can also sleep up to four. All of the accommodation is of the very highest quality, it is a luxury hotel after all, but what separates Château de Labro from most is the beautifully old fashioned decor. It feels a little like stepping back in time, in a good way, especially in the bedrooms, where even the modern touches are consistently tasteful. The food at the chateau is a highlight, always in season and local as much as possible, and they have a suitably good wine list. It is a vineyard hotel after all and so produces its own Clos Labro, a white made from the 6 varieties of grape grown on site; Muscat Petit Grain, Petit Manseng, Colombard, Chardonnay and Viognier. It is not a commercial wine by any means, which makes it quite special; the vineyards are small, producing only 1500 bottles a year, and so the only place you can enjoy Clos Labro is actually at Château de Labro!  You can relax around the gardens and READ MORE

Just about an hour east of Sacramento, California and very close to the Shenendoah Valley and Amadour county wine country, this small, friendly organic farmstay produces vegetables and eggs, and visitors are welcome to get involved or just relax around the gardens. They have comfortable, homely rooms with shared bathroom and a shared lounge with TV(But no WiFi) And the owners are always happy to show their bread, jam or cheese making skills to guests and can also teach you a thing or two about planting and growing. They serve a great organic breakfast and can also make you a good lunch and dinner for an extra charge. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “It’s a fantastic value for the money and we left feeling refreshed! This is our second stay here. We love the peacefulness of the farm, the comfortable accommodations (all the linens are line-dried and fresh!), the delicious food, and the gracious host. The location is very convenient to the wineries on Shenandoah Road….” “Alice the hostess was amazing. The property was beautiful. If you want the Ritz this isn’t for you. If you want cozy and comfortable off the beaten path then welcome home…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT CASA DE LA PRADERA:   READ MORE

Near to St. Etienne and among the high plains of Haute-Loire, Auvergne France, this unusual farmstay has very cute self-catering accommodation for up to four people in wooden caravans, surrounded by vegetable gardens and a small working farm. THE ACCOMMODATION: The caravans are more comfortable than you might imagine and they come with a kitchen, a dining area and each has their own private bathroom and shower. You can also order meals from the farmhouse; The owners are excellent cooks and and have a range of local specialities that you can try, and if you want to cook some yourself they can even offer free cooking lessons! THE FARM: The small farm has a number of dairy cows and ducks and grows potatoes and a number of other vegetables. There is also a playground on the farm and games for kids to play. And they will also entertain themselves by meeting some of the animals. THE LOCATION: Chomelix is in the Haute-Loire, Auvergne department (now amalgamated to form Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), high on the Massif Central, traditionally thought of as France’s most isolated and poor region. Much of the area is around 1,000 meters above sea level and it can get snowbound frequently in winter. Still though it can be a truly gorgeous place for nature lovers; with wild and mysterious stretches full of dark forests and rocky hills. Chomelix itself is a slight step away from much of the barrenness of the Massif Central, and is a nice, unassuming little village, surrounded by farmland and forested hills, and has a gentle, relaxed pace of life. It sits at the edge of the Livradois-Forez National Park though and so you’ll find plenty of hiking in wild scenery, and it’s also not far from the spectacular Volcans d’Auvergne Park. The village itself wouldn’t be much visited by tourists but others in the area are: The main regional town Le Puy-en-Velay is a spectacular sight with its theatrical conical hills, and about 30 km away from the farmstay. Allegre, nearer still at about 10 km away is a pretty town with much history and has a nice position on the slopes of the Baury Volcano. READ MORE

Guesthouse Steindórsstadir  is a friendly farm house B&B in a lovely setting near the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls north of Reykjavik, Iceland. The accommodation is fairly basic but lacks nothing in terms of cleanliness or comfort and there is a nice friendly atmosphere around the common areas which include an outdoor hot tub. The working farm dates back nearly two hundred years and has sheep, cows, Icelandic horses and a friendly dog and cat. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farmhouse is small and intimate with a choice of a single room, two doubles/twins and a triple room. All the rooms are spotlessly clean and have very comfortable beds. The bathrooms are shared but you will find them also spotlessly clean, and well equipped. The accommodation is B&B and you can expect a good, generous breakfast every morning. The kitchen is open to guests too so you can also cook for yourself during the day if you so choose and there’s a sociable shared lounge at the property too as well as a hot tub outside. The farm is a working farm and has been in the family for nearly two hundred years. They keep cattle and sheep as well as the ubiquitous Icelandic Horses. Horseback riding can be arranged and there are some lovely trails all around the farm and the local area to be enjoyed for riders of all abilities. THE LOCATION: Near the Hraunfossar waterfalls north east of Reykjavik the location is gorgeously peaceful and scenic, an expanse of open countryside between the ocean and the mountains that has a frontier like feel though it is only 100km from the Icelandic capital. The main attraction in this area is the aforementioned Hraunfossar waterfalls and the Langjökull Glacier, only around 15km away from the farm and very much one of Iceland’s many natural wonders. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This was our fourth stay at Steindórsstadir, this says all. This time we brought five friends with us who liked it as well. Very friendly host, the old farmhouse is very welcoming and cozy, comfy beds, the bathrooms are modern and clean. Breakfast includes all what is needed for a good start into READ MORE

Near Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, U.K., The Old Wagon House offers an excellent value, self catering, farmhouse stay in the heart of some gentle, peaceful countryside. Their beautifully maintained, rustic style, self catering cottage is on a working sheep farm close to the town of Launceston, and also to the city of Plymouth in neighbouring Devon. THE ACCOMODATION: The accommodation is a tastefully done barn conversion, dating from the 19th century, complete with traditional exposed wood beamed ceilings. It’s a one bedroom property with a four poster double bed, but also comes with two single beds in an annex off the lounge area if needed for extra guests. There’s a log burning stove in the living room/lounge area too, and a flat screen TV. You’ll also find a modern, fully equipped kitchen at the property plus a bathroom with a wet room and walk in shower. And outside there is a nice patio/decking area with a table and chairs THE FARM: Old Wagon farmhouse is on a working sheep farm which guests are welcome to explore, there is also a small vegetable garden from where you can pick a few of your own vegetables for cooking with. They have a small gift shop at the farmhouse too where you can buy some of their own wool products to take home. THE LOCATION: St. Clether is a beautifully quiet and rural part of Cornwall, about a mile in from the coast and Downderry; a picturesque little village with its own popular beach. From the farmstay you can see the sea in the distance while also enjoying some lovely views of the surrounding nearby countryside. If you’re feeling energetic they have bike hire at the farmstay as well as some great walking and hiking routes. The village centre is just a few minutes drive away, and there you’ll find a couple of cafes, pubs and small shops. There is a coastal footpath near the farmstay which runs east to Whitsand Bay and west to Looe, from where you can join sea fishing and boating trips. Another lovely day out is the Seaton Valley Countryside Park with many meandering paths through some gorgeous old woodland. READ MORE

Near the town of Berga in the Berguedà region of Catalunya, Spain, Complex Rural Can Caubet has pet friendly, self catering accommodation in rustic stone cottages surrounded by gardens and green pastures. And all of it with beautiful views over the rocky slopes of the Queralt Mountains. THE ACOMMODATION: Their cottages come with a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge with a sofa and fireplace, a TV & DVD player and there is WiFi throughout the house. Outside you’ll also find plenty of space for relaxing in the garden which has barbecue facilities, a seasonal swimming pool and a hot tub. There’s also a children’s play area with a trampoline, swings and table football, amongst other things. THE LOCATION: This area of Catalunya, as it rises up into the Pyrenees, is a very popular place for outdoor sports enthusiasts; mountain biking, rock climbing, horse riding, skiing and paragliding are all notably popular. You can ask at the farm for advice and recommendations. You don’t have to be the sporty type though; the region also has peace and rural charm in abundance, and of course the landscapes are very beautiful with some great, and not so strenuous, hill walks close to the farm that offer spectacular views. The cute village of Avià is just about five kilometres away, in fact you can see it, and the nearby monastery from the farm itself. The nearest major ski centres are at Port del Compte, La Molina and Tuixen La Vansa, all not much more than a a half an hour’s drive away, while to get to the city of Barcelona takes about an hour. For a reasonable fee the farm hosts can arrange pick ups and drop offs from the airport and the city centre though, just let them know before you arrive. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “It is ideal for large groups, has 5 full rooms and 3 or 4 bathrooms with shower or bathtub. The kitchen is well equipped, with microwave, dishwasher and a large dining table. The exterior has a huge garden with barbecue and tables and a trampoline for children. The setting is beautiful, fantastic for long walks, surrounded by READ MORE

This luxury, boutique, organic farm stay has over forty acres of conservation land just outside Bath near where Somerset meets Gloucestershire in the beautiful South Cotswolds. It offers spacious, stylish courtyard accommodation around a beautifully restored old Cotswold manor house and you can expect high standards of comfort and service. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a choice of accommodation from double rooms to luxury suites with private lounge, or the larger, more family friendly cottage suite. You’ll find all modern conveniences here, including flat screen TV with satellite channels, WiFi, ipod dock, music system etc.. Their very delicious breakfast can be served butler-style to your room every morning, with cooked and continental options that are sourced locally and include organic bacon and sausages from the farm’s own Oxford and Sandy pigs. The hotel also provide a wide range of services including a business centre, room service, concierge service, private check-in/check-out etc. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM: The farm is a fully working organic farm that blends seamlessly into the beautiful Cotswolds countryside. The guests are free to roam the farm which has herds of sheep, ponies and some relatively uncommon Oxford and Sandy pigs, which produce a famously succulent bacon which you can try for breakfast. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is roughly equidistance between Bath and Bristol down a country lane in the heart of the South Cotswolds. There are many nice villages in the surrounding area and you’ll have a choice of traditional country pubs as well as some good restaurants and gastro pubs. Upton Cheney for example, would be the nearest to the farm at about a mile down the road, and is a lovely traditional village which is also famous for its hot chilli farm, which you can visit for farm tours and tasting sessions. The owners at Britton’s provide an informal concierge service and will have plenty of good recommendations for things to see and do in the local area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Beautiful set of buildings in the countryside, stunning conversion of outbuildings to provide accommodation. The interior decor is sophisticated READ MORE

For a farm stay with a difference, Yapham Holds Farm has some cute glamping huts on its small farm in the lovely green countryside of East Yorkshire, England, about 10 miles from York City, and about an hour by car from Scarborough. The cabins are small but perfectly formed and surprisingly comfortable. They all have a sofa-bed, a TV and DVD player, a little veranda outside as well as their own picnic table, and you can rent a grill from the farm if you need. All the huts are heated too and have access to the shared bathroom and toilets on site. Note: Dogs are welcome for a small extra charge, but with a maximum of two per guest. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing: Loved every second.. first time I’ve been clamping and already planning my next trip here, lovely owner.. quite.. close to amenities, best sleep I had in ages….” “Fabulous. Friendly & informative hosts. Very clean & well kept grounds & shower/WC. Pods were great, with a few little luxuries such as TV/DVD, heater & lighting so an upgrade from traditional camping. Very peaceful & quiet….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT YAPHAM HOLDS FARM:     READ MORE

Not many people will know that there is a small wine-producing industry in the valleys of South Wales, but there is, and the luxury Llanerch Vineyard Hotel in Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, is definitely a highlight, with top-quality accommodation in a beautiful setting. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their rooms and suites are five-star luxury; spacious and stylish, they are all en-suite and have a dining and sitting area with a study desk and flat-screen TV and WiFi as standard. Outside there is plenty of space to relax in the well-kept gardens and terrace, where weather permitting you can dine on the terrace also. THE FOOD & THE WINE: Once that surprise has been overcome the next surprise is that, despite the difficulties with, amongst other things the disagreeably inconsistent Welsh weather, the wines are actually good. They produce a range of award-winning Cariad wines, all white at the moment due to the cool climate, though they say they have ambitions to produce a red in the future. So, a stay at Llanerch can teach you a lot about wine, with vineyard tours and tasting sessions for example, but it can also teach you about food, having a superb restaurant and bistro where celebrity chef Angela Gray heads the kitchen, and you can also join one of her almost daily cookery classes where you can learn a whole range of dishes, most with a Mediterranean twist, that fit their wines well. THE LOCATION: Such is the lovely, unique environment at Llanerch Vineyard Hotel that many people don’t venture much outside the grounds at all, but for those that do the countryside around the Vale of Glamorgan is famously lovely, with plenty of hiking trails through peaceful hills and woodlands. For golfers, the nearest course is at Creigiau, about 10 minutes away by car. Note: No children and no pets allowed! WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Fantastic one night stay as attending a wedding locally. Beautiful, cosy rooms with huge comfortable bed. Hot, powerful shower and spotlessly clean. Staff were really friendly and the breakfast was delicious….” “What an amazing find, beautiful place just off the M4 but in the middle of beautiful surrounding vineyards. READ MORE

Just outside the beautiful hilltop town of Pienza, Tuscany, Italy, Agriturismo Casapicchiata is a very highly rated farm stay that has comfortable B&B rooms in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse surrounded by acres of wheat fields, olive groves, lavender and cypress trees. The views are tremendous too and it is in a perfect location for further exploration of this fabled sub-region of Tuscany; Val ‘Orcia. THE ACCOMMODATION: All the rooms are rustically stylish, with tiled floors, antique furniture and classic bed frames, and they all come with nice private bathrooms. This farm stay comes with lots of other niceties too; a spa & wellness center with massage services, a fitness center, a small indoor swimming pool, a hot tub and a solarium. They know how to look after their guests here and they can also provide a number of other, more practical, services; babysitting, laundry and maid services for example. Their food is tremendous, and not only the breakfast; the friendly owners cook up some great locally sourced food (Much from their own farm) in the evenings too which can be shared with other guests in the farm’s ‘family and friends only’ informal restaurant. THE LOCATION: The lovely Pienza is of course very much on the Tuscan tourist trail and there are innumerable other lovely small towns nearby too; Bagno Vignoni, Montacino, Rocca d’Orcia to name just a few. In between too of course you have some classic Val d’Orcia/Southern Tuscany countryside to enjoy (you’ll find a special section on Val d’Orcia on this page). You can hire bikes from the farm to head out exploring if you wish, and/or they can also arrange some wonderful horse riding trips which take you around the local area and some of the more hidden, less touristy areas of Val d’Orcia. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing location right at the heart of Val d’Orcia, within driving distance of many central locations of Tuscany. Beautiful place with warmhearted owners….” “Excellent property, the owner was very kind and helpful. The breakfast was great and we fell in love with the location (and the dog!)….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO READ MORE

On a large farm in the beautiful Mallorcan countryside, 60km northeast of Palma and just 10 minutes from the nearest beach, this farmhouse B&B has an outdoor swimming pool and is surrounded by orchards and meadow fields. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farm stay has a choice of comfortable, spacious rooms all with private bathroom, their own entrance, and an outdoor private terrace. Their homemade food is excellent; they serve a great breakfast in the morning with a nice mix of local specialities and equally good evening meals can be arranged too for an extra charge. The farm has sheep and hens and they also grow almonds, carobs, lemons, figs, and a whole range of vegetables and herbs that they use for their own quality food. THE LOCATION: The farm is just 3km from the town of Arta, Mallorca, and in the surrounding area, you can find some of Spain‘s loveliest beaches and coves, some of them almost totally deserted. There are two beautiful nature reserves to be explored at Albarca and Es Verger and there will be endless opportunities for hiking and swimming, and you also have a couple of good golf courses within easy reach. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The atmosphere is tranquil and friendly. Our room was situated upstairs with a lovely patio outside where we sat in the evening listening to distant rural sounds of sheep, dogs and birds….” “We stayed for the first time 4 nights in March and loved it. Beautiful setting on working farm with such lovely hosts. Patio onto fields, large room and bathroom. Most comfortable and tranquil, great breakfast….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGROTURISMO NA SET CENTES:   READ MORE

In Gustavus, Southern Alaska near the spectacular Glacier Bay National Park, Annie Mae Lodge has a selection of comfortable B&B rooms in a beautifully remote setting surrounded by meadow fields and friendly horses. There is a very good restaurant on site too, serving some of the best local produce especially seafood, and the hospitable owners can also provide lunch boxes for hiking trips. The area is great for hiking, and all sorts of other outdoor activities can be arranged too, like fishing, whale watching, sea kayaking and mountain biking. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The location was superlative. The service was customized to meet our needs including shuttle rides from the ferry to the inn, a shuttle ride to the airfield when we left and a shuttle ride to and from the park….” “Spectacular: Breakfast was great, delicious bake goods a, home made Granola and fruits. Dinner was 5 stars. Location was breathtaking and spectacular , walking distance to the beach. Staff provide rides to all sites at Gustavus (Glacier bay park, airport, downtown, etc.)….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT ANNIE MAE LODGE:   READ MORE

In the town of Manoppello, Abruzzo, Italy, about a half an hour outside Pescara, this very popular B&B farm stay & vineyard is on a working farm that produces its own wine, olive oil, jam and cheese, all of which guests are of course free to sample, to buy to take home, and receive a few tips on their production. They have a range of rooms and suites, and one self catering apartment with kitchenette, all of which are clean and comfortable and come with private bathroom, flat screen TV and WiFi as standard. And as well as a very good free Italian breakfast in the morning for an extra fee you can arrange evening meals too, all of which are quality and are made with the finest local ingredients. There is a shared lounge and a nice garden at the property too, and a range of services are provided by the farm owners; from packed lunches to child minding and free bike hire. Abruzzo has much to offer the visitor, with Pescara and the Adriatic coast just a half an hour from the Agriturismo, plus there are two beautifully wild national parks even closer; Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga and Parco Nazionale della Majella. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Wonderful experience. A beautiful place to stay in a beautiful setting. Perfect for a relaxing getting away. Wonderful breakfast selection and friendly staff….” “Very nice place, friendly hosts, great location the countryside, with great views towards the Abruzzo mountains….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT IL CASOLARE DI NONNO MARIO:   READ MORE

Agriturismo Domus Magna is a beautifully renovated 15th Century farmhouse on a lavender farm very near Udine in the Fruili-Venezia-Giulia region of Italy. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has comfortable B&B rooms with private bathroom, TV and WiFi and outside there is are 12 acres of grounds, including a large garden with barbecue facilities and an outdoor pool. Then there is the lavender farm from where they produce their own lavender oil and lavender honey. You can expect a great Italian breakfast every morning at Domu Magna with some of the best local produce; ham, cheese, yoghurts and cereals. After that if you’re feeling active, the surrounding area is popular for hiking and cycling and the friendly owners can provide free bike hire. They also have horses at the farm which you can take out on horse riding trips, and lessons can also be arranged. THE LOCATION: The agriturismo is situated in the lovely little village of Belvedere di Povoletto, just a few minutes north of Udine, Fruili’s regional capital. Some other places of note in the surrounding area are the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cividale, originally founded by Julies Caesar, it was the 8th century capital of the Duchy of Fruili, one of the Lombard Duchies. The popular seaside resorts and spa towns of Grado and Lignano and the lovely medieval towns of Gemona and Venzone are also nearby and worth a look. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This is one of the nicest places we have ever stayed in. If you are looking for beautiful surroundings, tranquillity and excellent service then this is the place. I wish we could have stayed longer and I hope we will return someday. It’s a great location for exploring the area….” “Highly recommended. Very friendly staff, nice and huge garden and clean and nice pool. An incredible place to be with kids. It was a pity we couldn’t stay more days….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO DOMUS MAGNA:   READ MORE

Beside the village of Paola, near Cosenza, Calabria, Italy and about 35 km from Camigliatello Silano, this beautiful B&B has comfortable rooms on a small farm that produces its own olive oil, fruits and vegetables. It also has a great hilltop location that allows magnificent views over the Tyrrhenian Sea below. All their rooms come with private bathroom, a flat screen TV and WiFi. And there are barbecue facilities and a terrace in the gardens outside. There is also a restaurant and bar on site serving some really good local food, including some straight from the farm. There is also a shared lounge at the farmhouse and a 24 hour reception where the friendly staff can organize room service, child minding, airport shuttles etc. and can give good advice about exploring the surrounding area, an area which is one of Italy’s hidden gems. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Unique hotel – great place to spend a night. It was our halfway point driving from Sicily to Amalfi….” “Absolutely amazing. Excellent service, excellent staff, room was clean, spacious with big terrace with amazing views. Breakfast was excellent, good choice, also dinner great. We stayed 4 nights, we loved it….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO LE CHIATRE:   READ MORE

A cosy and very friendly traditional farm stay in Víðidalur, Northwest Iceland, Stóra-Ásgeirsá is a wonderful introduction to Icelandic farm life but with all the comforts and facilities of a modern guest house B&B. The farm keeps horses, sheep, goats hens and ducks and you can spend your days meeting the animals, going horse riding, or exploring the surrounding countryside of this very picturesque and remote part of northern Iceland, while in the evenings you can relax in the outdoor hot tub soothed by the sounds of the nearby waterfall. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farmstay is small and cosy with a choice of double/twin rooms and a larger family room which can sleep up to 4. All the rooms come with flat screen TV and there is WiFi throughout the property. There is a shared bathroom at the farmhouse and a dining room/lounge where you will be treated to a great home made Icelandic breakfast in the morning and where in the evenings you can socialize with the other guests and farm owners in a relaxed and homely environment. THE FARM: It is a fully working farm with some lovely Icelandic horses on which you can take horse riding trips around the farm, as well as a number of sheep, goats hens and ducks, all of which are very friendly and which are a bit hit with children at the informal petting zoo. The horses though are the farm’s main business, with the owners being well known horse breeders in Iceland who have bred many top riding horses. Their horse riding tours are highly recommended, they are open to all levels and can take you around the farm and along the banks of the salmon filled Víðidalsá river or on longer tours of the surrounding countryside. THE LOCATION: The location is really very special; in the small settlement of  Víðidalur, way up the north of Iceland, and surrounded by gorgeous countryside, rolling hills, valleys, rivers and brooding, misty mountains. The area has a wonderfully remote feel to it and is quite an inspiring place. There are many great hiking routes around that the farm owners can advise you about, and plenty READ MORE

The very highly rated Shave Farm B&B is a lovely 200 year old farmhouse on a working dairy farm just off the A303 near Ilminster and the village of Chard, Somerset. They have a range of very clean and comfortable B&B rooms with private bathroom, flat screen TV and WiFi, and there is a cosy shared lounge downstairs with an open fireplace. The friendly owners cook a great breakfast in the morning with a lot of the ingredients coming straight from the farm. And guests are of course free to wander the farm and get to know a bit about farming life, milking the cows, feeding the calves etc. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Enjoyed everything about staying at Shave Farm. Kate and James were brilliant hosts, the accommodation was very clean and comfortable, breakfast was very tasty and it was fun seeing the cows milked….” “Really friendly owners and great breakfast! The place was lovely, well-looked after and very pretty. We liked seeing the goats, chickens and cows and all the outside areas and comfy rooms and sitting/breakfast area….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT SHAVE FARM B&B: READ MORE

In St.Mary’s just over 20 miles from the city of London, Ontario, Canada, Transvaal farm stay offers a nice 2 bedroom self catering house on its busy working farm with goats, hens and vegetable plots. The farmhouse has a lounge with a stone fireplace, TV and WiFi, a well equipped kitchen, two bedrooms (one double and one twin) and bathroom. They make their own range of quality artisan goat’s cheese, preserves and chocolate truffles which you’re welcome to try, and to buy to take home. You can also learn how to make all of the above at the culinary workshops the owners organize for their guests, and bread and pastry making lessons too. The surrounding area is popular for cycling and you can rent bikes for free from the farm. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Cosy interior, gas fireplace, animals! Also loved collecting eggs, and meeting the new baby goats. Owners very generously provided us with homemade goat cheese, and fresh baked goodies from their bakery. The farmhouse is clearly a labour of love for Cindy and Scott!…” “The house is impeccable and the owners are very gracious hosts who clearly wanted to ensure that anything we needed was provided to us! One of the owners of the property gave us a very informative tour of the farm and our kids were able to get their eggs from the hens in the morning. We also enjoyed seeing the goats and playing with the cats on the farm. This is a beautiful getaway and a unique experience for those of us who are city dwellers. I cannot say enough about how much we enjoyed our stay at Transvaal Farm. I would highly recommend it….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT TRANSVAAL FARM: READ MORE

This 19th-century château, near Carcassone, has a variety of lovely rustic style, self-catering accommodation on a famous Languedoc winery with nearly 300 acres of vineyards and olive groves. Their wines are highly prized and they do a full program of wine tourism activities; tours of the vineyards and wine cellars, tasting sessions, etc., but even if you have very little interest in such things Château Canet is still a very pleasant, sociable place to stay with a lovely peaceful setting and plenty to do and see both around the estate and in the surrounding area. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a great range of accommodation on offer, mainly cottages but with some small apartments too. All are very charming, comfortable and clean and come in various sizes, with the largest covering 250 m² and which can sleep up to eight comfortably. Check your options on the booking page here. The accommodation mixes rustic and modern styles well and generally doesn’t stray too far from the traditional French farmhouse look. They are comfortable, homely, and well equipped and there is plenty of outside seating, dining and lounging space plus BBQ facilities, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a boules court, and a playground for the kids. Beyond the gardens, there are some small sections of farmland and woodland but the estate is mainly comprised of vineyards and olive groves. Château Canet is very well known in the region and has won numerous awards for both wine and olive oil with their Minervois (an AOC in this area of Languedoc-Roussillon) being a mixture of whites reds and rosé. Olive oil tasting sessions and educational tours are available as well as a full program of wine tourism activities. THE LOCATION: The chateau is very near Carcassone, just 15km from the city centre in fact, and so makes a good base for enjoying the spectacular fortress city while also avoiding much of the daily tourist hordes. The accommodation is self catering and shopping for food supplies etc. can also of course be done there. The charming little town of Trèbes is less than five minutes away too, and is a good place to arrange a long READ MORE

Near Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, on the south west coast of Malaysia, Lake View Farm has self catering chalet accommodation surrounded by five acres of land and its own private lake. It is a cute friendly place with a family atmosphere and can be a nice gentle introduction to rural farming life. The Accommodation: The air conditioned chalet has 4 spacious bedrooms, each with one queen size bed and two singles, so there is space for up to 16 people to sleep. There is also a lounge/living room and dining area, a fully-equipped kitchen and four bathrooms. The lounge is spacious with plenty of seating and doors that open out on the lake where you’ll find plenty of space to relax, as well as barbecue facilities and outdoor seating. The Farm: The small farm has a number of friendly goats, hens and ducks, and grows various fruits and vegetables. Guests can enjoy plenty of interaction with the animals and are free to wander around the farm as much as they like. The farm owners have canoes and rowing boats for trips out on the lake as well as fishing equipment, which all guests are free to use. You’ll find the whole environment enjoyable in a very relaxing and pleasant way. The Location: The lovely, and very popular, beaches of Port Dickson are just 5 km from the farmstay, and there are plenty of great beaches all along the nearby coast from Tanjung Gemuk to Tanjung Tuan and beyond. The town of Port Dickson itself isn’t terribly beautiful or interesting but it does have plenty of shops, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, and gets busy with tourists making their way down to the beaches. There also some historical sights around too including the Temple of Wan Loong and the hilltop Kota Lukut fortress, and the very lovely, and very historical (UNESCO World Heritage) city of Melaka, or Malacca, is about 100km south down the coast. The newly built ‘garden city’ of Putrajaya is about 43 km away from the farm stay and can make for an interesting, non touristy, diversion, while Malaysia’s huge capital Kuala Lumpur is about 60km to the north. READ MORE

At the edge of tropical rainforest, about 40 miles from Hilo International Airport, and very close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Aloha Happy Place farm stay has relaxed, homely B&B accommodation on an eco-friendly working farm with horses, sheep, hens and a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. Horse back riding is a big attraction here, they offer lessons and can bring their guests out on some lovely trail rides through the surrounding jungle and beaches. All their rooms are individually decorated with a rustic, quirky style and come with private bathroom, cable TV and WiFi. There’s a sociable shared lounge with a lava fireplace at the property, plus a library and a games room, and you’ll find a tasty breakfast in the morning with many ingredients coming straight from the farm including some good fresh fruit. Guests are welcome to explore the farm and meet some of the animals, and the owners can give you a guided tour with a bit of advance notice. The immediate area around the farm has so much natural beauty to offer; when not going out on the horseback trails you can do some jungle hiking or head to the beaches for a swim and the farm owners can lend you raincoats for jungle treks and snorkels, masks and fins for swimming. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional: Joan is the owner of the space and she will take care of you like if you were family. It was such a good time to have stayed there. Super easy access to the Volcano Park and in easy access to other locations within the island. It is in a place where you can appreciate the wild and the amazing sky…..” “More than a hotel, it feels like home! We had the chance to spend 2 nights at the Aloha Happy Place and it was the best experience we had in Hawaii ! The location is ideal if you are planning to visit the Volcano National Park, but it remains absolutely quiet with only the sound of birds and nature. A perfect way to live the Hawaiian life and get out of the city….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ READ MORE

Bólstaðarhlíð Farm Cottage is a cosy self catering cottage on a family farm way up in the wilds of beautiful northern Iceland. The cottage is modern and clean and can sleep up to four people, and though very near to the main farmhouse it offers a splendid sense of  quiet solitude, and is especially inspiring in winter nights when the northern lights come out. THE ACCOMMODATION: The cottage has been recently refurbished and has a kitchen and lounge area, a double bedroom with queen size bed and a good bathroom. There is also a double sofa bed in the lounge so it can sleep up to 4 people comfortably. You’ll find the place well equipped with modern facilities, there is WiFi throughout plus a smart TV equipped with Netflix in the lounge. The cottage is very near the main farmhouse so, though you can enjoy much peace and quiet, the friendly owners are always at hand to help out with anything you need and are always happy to show guests around the farm. THE FARM: Bólstaðarhlíð has a working farm which has been in the same family for nearly 200 years. They usually have about 100 sheep and a number of horses at the farm these days, along with a friendly dog and cat at the farmhouse.  The setting is a tidy little valley amid green hills and a winding river and with the sheep grazing peacefully it is a beautifully quiet and relaxing place to wander around. The friendly farm owners are always happy to show guests around the farm and you are free to explore yourself, take a walk around the mountains, sit by the river or visit the beautiful little church at the farm which dates all the way back to 1888. THE LOCATION: Though way up in the north of Iceland getting to the farm isn’t all that difficult, being just off the main (road no.1) ring road from Reykjavík. It’s also about 20 minutes drive from the well known town of Blönduos, something of a tourist hub in these parts. and somewhere where you can find shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, a golf course and an Icelandic handicrafts READ MORE

Herdade dos Grous, near Beja, Alentejo, Portugal, is a 5 Star luxury hotel on a 1700-acre organic farm estate that produces award-winning wine and olive oil and has an outdoor swimming pool in the extensive gardens, and an artificial lake on the farm. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of top-class suites and rooms, all of them with private bathroom, minibar, WiFi, and satellite TV, plus the suites have a spacious seating area with an open fireplace. There is a high-quality restaurant and bar on site which serves the finest local food plus all of their own award-winning wines, and a snack bar open throughout the day. Or guests can entertain themselves by playing tennis on the estate’s courts, playing billiards, table tennis, or going for a swim in the pool followed maybe by a visit to their sauna where massages are available for an extra fee. THE FARM: This huge estate has a fully working farm, breeding Alentejo cattle, merino sheep, and of course horses. They provide horse riding lessons and guided trails around the estate and the surrounding countryside, which you can also tour by bike with bike rental available at the hotel. They have extensive vineyards and olive groves too, that allow them to produce their own Herdade dos Grous award-winning branded wines and olive oil. Guests are welcome to tour the estate and the winery and to take a look at the production of the wine and olive oil, along with tasting sessions of both. Much of their produce goes into their wonderful meals and you can also buy some to take home from their on-site farm shop. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is just south of Beja in the centre of Portugal’s Alentejo region. Alentejo is the country’s undoubted rural heartland and is particularly famous for its cork and wine. The cork trees here actually produce half of the world’s supply and its wines though still not completely mainstream are growing in popularity, and its wine tourism industry has also been developing quite rapidly in recent years, with the help of estates like Herdade dos Grous. The region is not on the mainstream tourist trail, READ MORE

This organic farm stay B&B, near Brisbane, Queensland, on Australia’s Sunshine Coast and just 10 minutes from Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, has a large spacious suite on its small (by Australian standards!) farm with cows, alpacas, pigs and hens. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have three accommodation choices. There is the sleek, modern and spacious, suite which has its own separate lounge area with flat screen TV, DVD player and ipod docking station. It also comes with a kitchenette, plus an en-suite bathroom with a nice old style claw foot bathtub. Then there is the cosy ‘tiny house on wheels’ which has 2 bedrooms, 1 of which has a queen-sized bed, the other 2 single beds. There is a TV, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, a full kitchenette and a large terrace outside where you’ll find a BBQ. Finally it has a small bathroom with a shower and compost (no smell!) toilet. Note: the ‘tiny house on wheels’ accommodation involves stairs and a climbing ladder and is not suitable for children under the age of 7. Finally there is the bungalow which has two bedrooms, one with a king size bed and the other with two king size singles. It has a nice bathroom with a claw foot bath tub, and a kitchen and lounge. Outside there is a large outdoor terrace area with seating and a barbecue. Check out all your options on the booking page here. Guests have access to the entire farm and are welcome to help out with farm tasks such as feeding the animals, collecting fresh eggs etc. They also have an organic vegetable garden and the friendly owners give kitchen garden workshops where you can learn how to create your own organic garden at home. There is a common lounge at the farm with books and board games, and there is WiFi throughout. The accommodation is self catering but you’ll also be treated to a great organic breakfast in the morning, included in the rate, and breakfast and BBQ dinner hampers can be provided on request. THE LOCATION: As mentioned the farm is conveniently just 10 minutes away from the world famous Australia Zoo, a definite must visit in the READ MORE

The consistently highly rated Agroturismo Vinha do Gaio is an organic, family-run, farm stay just north of Lagos & Portimao on Portugal’s western Algarve coast. It lies on the slopes of the Monchique Mountains and there are some tremendous views of the surrounding countryside and the sea in the distance from Portimão to Sagres. The farm has sheep, donkeys, fruit orchards, and vegetable and herb gardens. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have six B&B rooms in the uniquely designed, eco-friendly, farmhouse. There are a few rustic touches but generally the interiors are that of a quality modern hotel. Their rooms are clean and comfortable and they all come with a little outside terrace from which to enjoy those lovely views. You’ll be treated to a great fresh Portuguese breakfast in the morning and you are welcome to tour the farm where the friendly owners will be on hand to show you around. Overall it is a place to relax and recharge; the surroundings are beautifully peaceful and the place has an isolated feel. There is a little village within walking distance though, called Casais, which has a couple of shops and a friendly local bar. There are no restaurants there though the bar can provide snacks and the agroturismo owners can also provide evening meals if given a bit of notice. THE LOCATION: It is just beside the above-mentioned village of Casais and north of Portimão and Lagos in the hinterland of the western Algarve. About ten minutes away by car along the winding mountain roads, there is the pretty market town of Monchique, which like the agriturismo is also in the Serra de Monchique, the forested mountain range which separates the Alentejo from the Algarve. There is some great hiking to be done around here with some great views to be enjoyed of the plains and the sea to the south, and to the west; over the peaceful, nature-filled, Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. The journey from Portimão should take less than half an hour with Lagos being a little more. The nearest international airport is Faro, just over an hour away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Antonio was READ MORE

In Paços de Gaiolo, Portugal, about 40 kilometers along the Douro Valley to the east of Porto, Quinta da Bouça is a very lovely escape to nature, with 16 hectares of woodland, fruit orchards, and vegetable gardens along with a seasonal outdoor pool and barbecue facilities. They have four spacious and comfortable self-catering cottages to rent, all with kitchen and lounge with flat-screen TV and WiFi. And guests are welcome to wander through the woods or gardens, pick up some fruit or vegetables and maybe meet some of the friendly Garranos horses, a rare breed of horse native to Northern Portugal and Galicia, Spain, which roam freely around the property. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Location is breathtaking, very special place. Items left in the fridge for making breakfast and fresh bread dropped by the door in the morning. We didn’t meet the host but they were always very quick at replying and check in and out smooth and easy. Would come back again….” “ Lovely hosts who made sure I got whatever I needed. It was restful, quiet, and peaceful with stunning views of the surrounding hills. And their estate wine was complementary. 😋 I had my own pool and washing machine and wonderful privacy…..” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT QUINTA DA BOUÇA:   READ MORE

Cuevas del Pino is an agroturismo farm stay near Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain, which has some lovely quaint and rustic self catering cottages on its 60 acre organic farm. It also has the added intrigue of being set around an old stone quarry which has cave systems to explore and a cave house for overnight stays. The setting is quite unique and though just minutes from Cordoba city centre it is gorgeously peaceful. The hosts are friendly and charming and you’ll find a creative, bohemian vibe about with lots of activities to be enjoyed from yoga and meditation to photography and painting workshops, as well as various low key events; musical performances, micro theatre and film showings. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a choice of four cottages, two of them are one double bedroom and two of them two bedroom, with the latter being able to sleep up to five people. They are all charmingly rustic and traditional in style, and with some nice antique furniture and art pieces decorating the space. They are also very clean and comfortable and with modern facilities. You’ll find a well equipped kitchen, a lounge area, and outside a nice private terrace area with tables, chairs and sun loungers. The most unique of the accommodation choices is of course the cave house. A clever bit of architecture, it is, as the name suggests, a cottage built in to a cave, with solid rock for (most of) the walls and ceilings.  The design is that of an open plan loft and is super spacious and stylish. Though all the accommodation is of a high standard and thoroughly charming the cave house is understandably the most popular and so be sure to book well ahead of time. Outside there are some nicely tended gardens and an outdoor swimming pool with plenty of space for relaxing. Beyond that there is the farm, an organic, eco-friendly project that grows a variety of fruits and vegetables including beet-root and sweet corn. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is conveniently near Cordoba, a popular destination for tourists in Andalusia and one which rivals Granada for its rich Moorish history and heritage. By car the journey READ MORE

Beside Barrington Tops World Heritage Area and the ancient Gondwana rainforest in New South Wales, Australia, The Tops is an award winning organic farmstay on a 2,000 acre estate.  THE ACCOMMODATION: Their accommodation is in the form of self contained, self catering cabins which are super comfortable and come with a full kitchen, a lounge with fireplace, bathroom with spa bath, and flat screen TV and WiFi. In the extensive grounds outside you’ll also find an outdoor swimming pool and a tennis court. The food here is another big attraction, with most of the ingredients coming direct from the farm or from other local organic farms, and they specialize in a variety of Sri-Lankan curries as well as other more mainstream Aussie food. Vegetarians will be well taken care of too, as will anyone with other dietary restrictions. It’s open for breakfast 7 days a week and for dinner on Wednesday to Saturdays. There’s a nice lounge area too at the main farmhouse with comfortable couches around an open fire and guests can play snooker, pool and table tennis or sample some of The Tops’ full range of Rosnay organic wines, Cooper ales and various home made organic juices. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM: Their huge farm, all two thousand acres of it, is home to cows, goats, horses, geese, ducks and hens as well as numerous native wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, potoroos and rare white tailed eagles. Running through the farm there is two miles of the Dilgry River, well known as one of the cleanest in Australia, and a great fishing river. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is 2 hours from Newcastle and 3 and a half hours from Sydney, while the town of Gloucester is about 45 minutes away.  As mentioned before it is in an enviable setting; right beside Barrington Tops World Heritage Area with the ancient Gondwana Rainforest surrounding it.  Trips around, and tours of, the surrounding area can be organized at the farmhouse where you’ll find plenty of opportunity for fishing, horse riding, kayaking and mountain bike riding. WHAT READ MORE

On a small farm near Pickering, North Yorkshire, U.K, this popular family run farmstay has a great selection of stylish B&B rooms in an 18th century farmhouse plus self catering cabins. They serve a great English breakfast with some of the finest local ingredients, including free-range eggs direct from their own farm, which guests are free to explore. All their rooms and cabins are clean, spacious and comfortable and come with en suite bathroom, seating area, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and flat-screen TV and DVD player while the cabins come with all the above plus a kitchen. There is a very nice garden at the property too with outside furniture and an extensive children’s playground. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Absolutely fabulous and look forward to staying again. The accommodation and surrounding area were fabulous . Beautiful lodge set on the lake. Very clean , luxurious interior and facilities. We were disappointed we weren’t staying longer….” “Lovely just lovely perfect for families with children, or a romantic get away. Close to all shops/amenities yet secluded. Would definitely recommend to anyone….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BARKER STAKES FARM: READ MORE

Just outside Spigno Monferrato, in the beautiful hills of Piedmont, Cascina Bertolotto is a charming Italian farm stay set in a working vineyard which produces its own quality wine. Accommodation is in a traditional 19th Century Italian stone farmhouse with beautifully rustic rooms, all with terracotta floors and old stone walls, and some with lovely views on to the surrounding hills. They serve a great, continental style breakfast which during summer, is served up in their large, well kept, garden surrounded by vineyards. And speaking of vineyards visitors are of course free to explore them, sample the wine and tour the wine cellars. There are bikes available for free to explore the surrounding area which has plenty of good biking and hiking trails. And it is within close reach of the Italian Riviera beaches. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional! Rustic scenery and tranquil atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic agriturismo stay in Italy! Also wine tasting tour at the wine farm run by the owner is one of great memory there….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO CASCINA BERTOLOTTO:   READ MORE

  Near to both Seville & Cordoba but very much in the wilds of northern Andalucia, Spain, this charming farm stay has a variety of rooms and suites on a working organic farm with an outdoor swimming pool. It offers horse riding lessons too and has ready access to some of Europe’s most enchanting landscapes including the beautiful Sierra Norte de Sevilla Nature Reserve. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of rooms; both doubles and triples as well as a larger double suite. And all of the rooms are spacious and clean and come with with private bathroom, WiFi, air conditioning, and heating. There is also a very nice outdoor terrace with barbecue facilities and of course the swimming pool. And the owners can provide a very good breakfast every morning for a small extra charge which includes some of the farm’s own organic produce. THE FARM: The main attraction at the farmtay are the horses; they train horses here and can provide horse riding lessons to guests as well as horse riding tours in the surrounding area. It’s not just horses though, they have an orchard and vegetable plots and they also keep sheep goats, hens and a peacock, and guests are welcome to meet all of them. THE LOCATION: The surroundings; the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Nature Reserve is a truly spectacular region full of old European wildlife that have been pushed to, or towards, extinction in most other parts of the continent: Imperial eagles, black vultures, black storks, mongeese, wolves and wild boar to name but a few. There are some great hiking trails around, and mountain biking and horse riding can be arranged through the farmhouse. More lively guests can go climbing on the Cerro del Hierro, exploring underwater caves in the reserve’s many gorges or watersports at the El Pintado reservoir The area has what’s know as a Starlight Certification, which is to say that such is the lack of artificial light in this remote region that the stars at night seem to shine extra brightly, as bright almost as they would have done thousands of years ago. If you’ve spent most of your life READ MORE

This popular dude ranch is just outside Sandpoint Idaho, U.S.A., in the middle of beautiful surroundings with great trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, sleighing and winter sports, especially cross country skiing. There’s plenty to do at the farmhouse too with evening entertainment, a cosy shared lounge, a recreation room, an outdoor hot tub, a library, a children’s playground as well as meeting and banquest facilities. All of their cosy comfortable rooms have private bathroom and WiFi as standard and come with free breakfast, while their western style self-catering log cabins come with the same plus full kitchen and lounge but minus the breakfast. READ MORE

In the heart of the Barossa Valley, near Adelaide, South Australia, this farm stay is a peaceful rural retreat surrounded by gum and palm trees and with lovely views over the famous Seppeltsfield Winery. THE ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation is in the form of 6 self catering cottages, all with air-conditioning and all modern facilities; private bathroom with spa bath, flat screen TV and DVD player, a cosy fireplace and a kitchenette, including fridge, toaster and microwave etc. Check them out on the booking page here.  Outside there are barbecue facilities and a fire pit where in the evenings many guests get together and organize a camp fire. And there’s a nice playground for the kids too. On their small 8 acre farm surrounded by gum trees and vineyards, you’ll find sheep, ponies and alpacas, all of which are friendly and are used to meeting visitors, both children and adults. The accommodation is self catering but your friendly hosts also provide you with some nice complementary breakfast hampers. THE LOCATION: The Barossa valley north of Adelaide has been a famous wine producing region for generations now and just a ten minute walk away from the farm you’ll find one of its most famous wineries; Seppeltsfield, which was established way back in 1851 by the Seppelts family, recent immigrants from what was once the German speaking region of Silesia in Central Europe. Here you can arrange a whole range of wine tourism activities as well as enjoying some of the best food around at the on site restaurant. It’s also a short walk to the Seppelts Family Mausoleum, a serene memorial spot to the famous pioneer family which has suitably lovely views back over the valley. For a day out at another local winery you can also visit the nearby Hently Farm & Park, which does some award winning wines plus equally top class food. A little farther afield, just around a ten minute drive in fact, you can reach the town of Tanunda which has a lot going on, quality cafes and restaurants, art galleries and plenty of shops. Other recommendations in the area would include the Barossa Farmers Market at READ MORE

Kauri Lodge offers pleasant, friendly, farm stay accommodation near the Hobbiton Movie Set, Lake Karapiro and the lovely town of Cambridge, amidst some typically beautifully New Zealand North Island countryside. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice between a very spacious two bedroom cottage which can sleep up to 7 and a smaller, though still large, double studio. They both have very well equipped kitchens, a large lounge area with satellite TV, and plenty of outside space and barbecue facilities. The studio is a little away from the main farmhouse and doesn’t have its own WiFi but guests are welcome to come and use the WiFi at the farmhouse any time the want. Guests are also welcome to explore the farm which keeps horses and cattle. Horse riding can be arranged too, though not horse riding lessons so they would want you to have at least some experience before hopping on. You’ll find the owners super friendly and helpful and though the accommodation is self catering you can also arrange them to prepare you a good breakfast in the morning for a reasonable extra fee. THE LOCATION: As mentioned above Kauri Farm Stay is just outside the town of Cambridge on New Zealand’s North Island. Perhaps the most popular attraction in the area is the Hobbiton Movie Set which, even for non Lord of The Rings fans, is a beautiful, almost other worldly place. The idyllic, deep green, hills that surround the set are very typical of the area and the land around Kauri farmstay very much also has that Hobbiton feel to it. The town of Cambridge is a very pleasant little place, it has become famous for its many trees and for its prowess in the sport of rowing, leading it to be dubbed ‘The town of trees and champions’. It’s not a big town by any means but sees a good number of tourists and so has a few good cafes and restaurants. Within an hour’s drive of the farmstay you can enjoy some of the North Island’s best natural attractions; Raglan Beach or the incredible underground caves at Waitomo to the west for example, or Rotorua town and READ MORE

In Middleton, near Adelaide, and Port Elliott South Australia, Wenton Farm Cottages has two homely self-catering cottages surrounded by rolling green hills of farmland where guests can watch the cattle graze peacefully from their private terrace. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice of two air-conditioned cottages, one of which has two bedrooms, the other three. They are both clean and well appointed and both come with a kitchen and a dining and seating/lounge area with a flat-screen TV and DVD player. They have a nice private patio too, with barbecue facilities and outdoor seating. Check them out on the booking page here.  THE LOCATION: The Farm is just 15 minute’s away from Goolwa, which is the start of the famous River Murray and where you’ll find some good cafes, restaurants and shops. Middleton has a good surf beach just ten minutes away too and there are a number of nice other towns around too; Port Elliot for example just 10 minute’s away and Victor Harbour a little more. The idyllic Kangaroo Island is also close by while the journey south from Adelaide should take you less than an hour. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Hundreds of kangaroos greeted us on day 1 and set the tone for a wonderful girl’s weekend! The views, the silence (except the moo of the odd cow) was the perfect setting for sitting on the verandah with a quiet coffee….” “The peace and quiet and relaxed atmosphere. It was just what we needed. On returning home we were told how much better we looked health-wise and that was the idea of the stay. We felt so welcome and cared for. The cabin is really so close and convenient to other attractions within the area….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT WENTON FARM HOLIDAY COTTAGES:   READ MORE

About two hours from Lisbon in the beautifully picturesque Serra de São Mamede National Park, Alentejo, Portugal, Quinta das Lavandas is a charming farm stay set on a lavender farm that also has a small orchard and an olive grove. THE ACCOMMODATION: The building itself has been designed and furnished in a tastefully colourful, modernist style. Its seven B&B rooms are comfortable and clean, with private bathroom, flat screen TV, and WiFi, and some come with a terrace or balcony. There’s a nice lounge and dining area as well, and outside a sun terrace and swimming pool and you’ll find kids will be well entertained with various games to play and a small playground. THE FARM: The main activity on the farm is the production of Lavender, they use over 100 varieties of lavender to make various essential oils on the property and you’ll find the friendly, enthusiastic owners a great source of information about the whole process. They grow a variety of fruits and vegetables too, as well as produce their own olive oil. THE LOCATION: The area surrounding the farm also has much to offer; the Serra de São Mamede Park is an unexpectedly wild mountain area in the otherwise flatlands of Alentejo and has some great hiking and rock climbing almost right on the doorstep of the farm stay. Slightly farther there are many classic northern Alentejo villages also to be explored; Castelo de Vide for example, and Portalegre, or the iconic hilltop village of Marvão. If you need you can hire bikes direct from the farm owners, but the area is quite hilly so be prepared! WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Beautiful location, exceptionally friendly and helpful owners. Perfect location for walking and exploring historic hilltop towns. Easy access to town with restaurants and bars….” “Wonderful experience, exceeded our expectations…..” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT QUINTA DAS LAVANDAS: READ MORE

A family run vineyard & agriturismo, Baglio Vecchio offers peace, tranquility and rustic old world charm in the wilds of North West Sicily. The property is an 18th century baglio, a traditional Sicilian farmhouse, which has been respectively restored and retains the atmosphere of a bygone era without sacrificing modern comforts. The food here is consistently excellent, you can sample some fine Sicilian traditional dishes with most of the ingredients coming from the farm, and all accompanied by the agriturismo’s very own wine. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have ten rooms in total, two quadruples, one triple, six doubles and one single, in the main farmhouse building and six self catering apartments in the nearby renovated storehouse to sleep up to four people each. They all have a rustic vibe with soothing pastel coloured walls and and some nice antique furniture, but they also have air-con, satellite TV, private bathrooms and WiFi for example, and you’ll generally find the accommodation super comfortable, and clean. The 50 seat restaurant, as mentioned above, has some terrific traditional Sicilian food & wine on offer and they are happy to cater for guests with dietary restrictions. Outside in the grounds there is a swimming pool and the whole property is surrounded by olive groves, grape vines and a beautifully peaceful, nearly 30 acre, stretch of old woodland that is lovely to wander around. You are also welcome to join in some of the activities around the farm such as, in season, harvesting the olives or grapes, and you can also try your hand at the ancient lawn bowling sport of bocce, play ping pong, go horse riding or take one of the farm’s bikes to explore the surrounding area. THE LOCATION: Tucked away near the coast of north west Sicily, the journey from Palermo should take less than an hour and a half, from Trapani less than an hour and from Marsala, less again. Rural Sicily has a wealth of ancient ruins and the area surrounding the agriturismo is no different. The ruins of the ancient Greek city of Selinunte, are just 10 km away on the coast with Segesta too being just 40km away. Both are READ MORE

Near the historic town of Hamilton, Tasmania, one hour’s drive from Hobart and about 25 minutes from Mount Field National Park, this award winning farmstay is set on a 750 acre sheep farm and has a range of very comfortable self catering cottage accomodation, all with outdoor seating, barbecue area and their own spa bath. It is perfect for fishing and swimming being as it is right beside Lake Meadowbank. And the farm itself is so large that there is so much to explore without ever leaving the property. The friendly, enthusiastic owners are also happy to show guests around the farm and let them watch or join in activities like sheep shearing and sheep dog training and speak about environmental issues such as conservation and sustainable farming. Note: There is WiFi in public areas but not in the accommodation itself! WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This is a very beautiful farm with awesome cottages. Excellent service, clean large rooms, warm shower, comfortable bed with electric blanket. Go for the farm tour – you will have fun….” “The farm owners, Tim and Jane, are very nice. The food was well prepared, the steaks were good quality and the apple crumble was delicious. The farm tour led by Tim and the 2 sheep dogs, Sandy and Billy, was very interesting. The night view full of stars was giving me an unforgettable experience….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT CURRINGA FARM STAY, HAMILTON:   READ MORE

Just outside outside the town of Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany, and very near the Jenner ski resort, this lovely working farm stay has fabulous views of the Bavarian Alps. It provides spacious 2 bedroom self-catering apartments with full kitchen, living room and bathroom. They all come with nice balconies, flat screen TV and WiFi. There is a large well kept garden with BBQ facilities, and it’s ideal for kids too, there’s a playground, and they’re more than welcome to have fun helping out on the farm. There surrounding area is great for hiking and biking, as mentioned the Jenner Ski Resort is just 8km away, with other attractions like the Berchtesgaden salt mines and Lake Königssee for example also within very short reach. Bavaria’s capital Munich is about an hour and a half to the north west while Salzburg, in neighbouring Austria, can be reached in around a half an hour. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Fantastic! The owners were very kind and the apartment was very comfortable. I loved the mountains around the area too….” “Fantastically idyllic location with easy access to beautiful hiking trails; optimal if you like it a bit out of the way. Very friendly and courteous hostess, who helped us with great excursion tips. Cozy apartment with great views from the balcony!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BAUERNHOF VORDERSTIEDLER: READ MORE

In Saint-Damien, less than an hour from Quebec City, Canada, this family friendly farm stay is on a working goat farm with its own organic cheese factory. The accommodation is a two bedroom apartment which can host up to six people and with a full kitchen is fully self catering, though the friendly owners also serve a great fresh breakfast in the morning which includes of course some of their own home made cheeses. Guests are welcome to explore the farm, meet the animals and help out with the feeding or milking. The area around the farmstay has plenty to explore too. There is the Cycloroute bike trail for example which is about 7km from the farm and is a great way to travel the Bellechasse region. The Massif du Sud park and ski resort too is nearby and all around there are good hiking opportunities. READ MORE

Conveniently between Paris and Dijon, France, the child friendly Ferme de Flo has B&B accommodation on its busy little animal rescue farm which hosts a huge amount of animals; pigs, ponies, goats, hens, ducks and more, most of which had been abandoned by their previous owners but then found a loving home here. It’s sure to be a hit with the kids as they can have plenty of interaction with the animals but adults too will appreciate the comfortable accommodation, friendly hosts and the educational farm workshops and tours where you can learn about such things as sustainable agriculture, bread making and even how to drive a tractor. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have four B&B guest rooms, all with private bathroom, in the farmhouse as well as a very pleasant self catering cottage with one double/twin bed, three singles and one futon bed to sleep one or two more. All of the accommodation is clean and well maintained and the homemade breakfast is excellent. Guests in the self catering cottage can also enjoy the breakfast but for an extra charge and they can buy all sorts of locally produced food products at the on site shop for cooking with later. The main attraction at La Ferme de Flo are the animals. Over two hundred in total many of them had been abandoned by their owners and then rescued by the farm. They are all very friendly and well used to visitors and guests can partake in farm tasks as much as they like as well as learn a little about farming and taking care of animals. THE LOCATION: The farm is in the little village of Evry, between Paris and Dijon, on the north western edge of Burgundy, less than 100km from Paris and around 200 from Dijon. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Such a lovely and interesting place to stay. We really enjoyed our stay, lovely accommodation, very friendly, and best of all a tour of the farm which was great for the kids and very interesting. I would recommend Ferme de Flo 100%….” “It is really comfortable, spacious, the host is very friendly and warm, the breakfast is super. My READ MORE

Nell’s Farm House has self catering accommodation in a lovely 200 year old renovated farmhouse at the base of the Comeragh mountains in Co. Waterford, Ireland, about 25km from Waterford City. It’s surrounded by a working, family run, dairy farm that the guests are welcome to explore, watch the cows being milked for example or help collect the eggs from the hens. The family have been doing agritourism for years and they also organize tour and school group visits, to see the modern farm and also their heritage farm; a little look into farming practices of old, like churning butter, bread making and hand milking. The accommodation has two bedrooms, one double and one twin, with a lounge containing an open fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen. There is also free WiFi throughout, and outside, a hot tub, barbecue facilities and outdoor seating. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Very enjoyable, relaxing, we were sorry we didn’t get to spend more time there….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT NELL’S FARMHOUSE: READ MORE

Ystumgwern is a friendly organic farm stay in Snowdonia, North Wales, offering luxury self catering accommodation in converted barns around a renovated 15th-century traditional stone farmhouse. It is very near the golden beaches of the Cambrian coast and within the boundaries of the spectacular Snowdonia National Park. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a range of stylish self catering converted barns that can fit up to five people per unit. They are all fully central heated, all have their own private entrance, a lounge & dining area with TV and DVD player, varying numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a modern kitchen. There is a children’s play area and games room at the farmhouse with a pool table, tables tennis and plenty of games for kids. THE FARM: The farm is a very large, working organic farm with flocks of sheep and some goats. It has a full 1,000 acres of farmland in a lovely setting overlooking the sandy beaches of the Cambrian coast. THE LOCATION: The location is simply wonderful; it has the Snowdonia National Park and its rugged mountains and valleys to the east and north; undoubtedly some of Britain’s best scenery, and very much a nature lovers paradise with plenty of trails of varying degrees of difficulty for hiking and mountain biking. The Rhinog mountain range is the nearest mountain range to the farmstay, there you can lose yourself in some spectacular terrain; visit Cwm Bychan with its peaceful lake and Roman Steps, or the rocky mountains around Cwm Nantcol with some beautiful waterfalls and quiet woodland full of undisturbed wildlife. The Snowdonia Mountain Railway comes highly recommended. It is a relaxing train ride that runs through some really jaw dropping scenery around the mountains and high above the valleys. To the south and west of the farmstay there is a fantastic ten mile stretch of beach that runs between the pretty towns of Harlech and Barmouth. Harlech has much history and is famous for its impressive hilltop castle and is also the site of the Royal St. David’s golf course. Barmouth has a lovely setting overlooking Cardigan Bay on the estuary of the River Mawddach and both it and Harlech READ MORE

This very highly rated self catering farm stay is on a 300 acre farm in Byron Bay, Australia; in the heart of New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region. Being also near the historic town of Bangalow and just south of Brisbane, Queensland’s Gold Coast it has an excellent location. They have both one and two bedroom cottages and all are fully self contained with kitchen, bathroom and a lounge with TV and Dvd. They each have a lovely private verandah with views of the rainforest or the lake. You can take a canoe or rowing boat out on to the lake, or swim or fish, and there are plenty of nice hiking and mountain bike trails within the farm’s borders and beyond. The farm has animals of course, horses, hens and cows for example and guests, including children can feel welcome to help out with the feeding etc. Note: It’s recommended you come here with a vehicle as there’s no public transport between the village and the farm! WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We could not rate it any higher as a place to stay, we will definitely be back for another stay at the cottages….” “Such beautiful views, extremely friendly owners, it was a perfect relaxing getaway for our girls weekend….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BYRON BAY FARM STAY:     READ MORE

For a real slice of Greek, specifically Cretan, village life, you can rent this lovely self catering cottage (two nights minimum) at Orgon Farm, an organic olive farm near Heraklion. The area is peaceful and serene and the house is charmingly traditional, while not forsaking modern comforts. THE ACCOMMODATION: The cottage has one bedroom with two double beds, a bathroom and a kitchen and living room which also has a sofa bed so can sleep up to 6 people. Though it’s a one bed unit the house is a good size and comes with a nice, well equipped, kitchen. It really is a charming little place, in the classic Greek, traditional farmhouse style, and it has a terrace outside from where you can enjoy the lovely views over the the surrounding hills and farmland, and you’ll also find a hot tub, seating & sun loungers. The farm mainly produces olives, but also a really huge range of vegetables fruit and herbs, such as grapes, zucchini, thyme, sage, water melons, broccoli, mint, cabbage and cucumbers. And it is also home to some rabbits and hens. It is self catering, as mentioned, and you can be left alone as much as you like, but guests are always welcome to tour the farm and to partake in light farm work if they so wish, things like collecting the fruit, vegetables and herbs etc. You’ll find the owners helpful and welcoming and guests can sample some terrifically fresh organic ingredients straight from the farm, including breakfast supplies; fresh, homemade bread, eggs, tomatoes etc. For more supplies you can wander into the local town just down the road from the farm where you’ll also find some cafes and food places. If you’re interested you can also learn a little about making some home made food at the farm, such as grape molasses, tomato sauces, wine and raki, and also such non food items things as hand made soaps, wax ointments and herb oils in the traditional Greek way. All of which are organic of course and all of which you can by to take home THE LOCATION: The stunning Island of Crete sees a large READ MORE

Boschendal Cottages has centuries old, beautifully restored, farm cottages at its luxury farm stay/vineyard hotel near Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Guests are given access to the entire farm,  where you can join their farm history tours and the wine cellar tours, or you can wander on foot or by bike the vineyards, orchards and semi rugged mountain trails all around. Plus you can swim freely in the dams or go trout fishing and use the picnic areas nearby. The farm stay has its own very high quality restaurant: The Werf Restaurant, its own Farm Shop & deli stocked with the finest of local food. All their stylish and clean cottages have a full kitchen, or kitchenette in the smaller cottages, and are serviced daily. You can also order meals, breakfast included, to be delivered to your cottage, and in baskets if required for picnics. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Boschendal was so good that we extended our stay by an extra 2 days! Thanks to all (especially Roxy) for such special experience we will never forget….” “Amazing location, fantastic accommodation. Great staff, careful and kind, that provided us with anything we needed to truly enjoy our Boschendal experience. Food and wine also deserve a special note as everything was organic and most of it grown directly into the estate. What an experience overall, definitely recommended!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BOSCHENDAL COTTAGES:   READ MORE

Hof Faasel is in the village of Grömitz, Schleswig-Holstein, near the shores of the German Baltic Sea and is a great area for hiking and especially cycling, and luckily for you, you can rent bikes for free directly from this friendly farmstay. The comfortable self catering apartments at Hof Faasel are set on its working farm with a beautiful large garden and farmland all around. All the apartments come with fully equipped kitchen, TV, DVD player and free WiFi throughout. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional: Nice quiet oasis. Children can play wonderfully in front of the terrace. The dreamy forest path leads to the large playground and beach….” “It is a dream for children, outdoor toys, farm animals and beach nearby. The host is very warm and friendly and had an open ear for questions. We would come back anytime….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT HOF FAASEL: READ MORE

The Donnybrook Eco-Retreat is an off-grid property that provides luxury, safari style, glamping tents in 100 acres of gorgeously peaceful, lush Hunter Valley countryside. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are three tents in total, all of which are doubles with queen size bed. One, the Billabong tent is self-contained with its own kitchenette, and sits by itself by a dam while the other two, the Valley View & Hill View, sit near each other on a small hillside. The latter two tents are linked by raised decks and separated by a lovely cedar clad yurt which has a well equipped kitchen and dining area for the use of guests in both tents. If looking for splendid isolation some might find them a little too close to each other and so will be happier with the Billabong tent, but they do allow for some degree of socializing with other guests if you so wish. Check out your options on the booking page here. The accommodation is self catering but a farm fresh breakfast pack is included in the rate and, as the name suggests, features some organic products straight from their own farm. You’ll find the surrounds remarkably peaceful, especially if you’re coming from Sydney. Feel free to wander around the 100 acres of bush and grassland with its farm animals; sheep, ducks, miniature goats and hens, and a huge amount of local wildlife. You can take a swim in the indoor swimming pool (seasonal), borrow a bike from the retreat, go kayaking or fishing too, and of course there is lots to see in the surrounds; the iconic Hunter Valley. Note: There is no Wifi at the retreat. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: Donnybrook Eco is close to the Hunter River and within a half an hour’s drive of some of the most well known towns in the area; Maitland, Paterson and Morpeth for eg., as well as lots of its most famous wineries and restaurants. The journey by car from Sydney should take less than two hours. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Such a lovely spot with a great view, READ MORE

Just outside Olbia, northern Sardinia, Italy, this highly rated, very popular, agriturismo farm stay has comfortable self catering holiday cottages in a beautifully relaxed environment with horses, donkeys and goats. All of their cottages come with kitchenette, private bathroom, a lounge with TV, and WiFi throughout. There is a daily maid service too, plus laundry and ironing service. They have an on-site restaurant serving the finest of local food, to be eaten there or in the well kept gardens and terrace and there are barbecue facilities on the lawn plus a children’s playground. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A highlight of our trip – not to be missed! Fantastic agriturismo immersed in nature with plenty of friendly cats and dogs! An ideal base for exploring Sardinia’s eastern coast….” “An amazing stay at a fantastic property. The location was secluded, quiet, and peaceful. Definitely book a night at the restaurant if it is open. The meal was homemade local Sardinian specialties, and the price was too good to be true….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO SA MENDHULA:   READ MORE

Climbing out of bed in a luxury glamping tent to the nearby chatter of friendly llamas sounds like a uniquely lovely way to start the day, and even more so when it is in the heart of one of France’s most charming rural regions, the infamous Loire Valley; the Garden of France.  The family friendly & pet friendly Loire Valley Llama Farm Stay, between Le Mans and Tours, offers visitors two Lotus Belle tents on their 17 acre farm with llamas and hens.  All of which are happily free range, and friendly to visitors; this place is not some large commercial farming venture, it is a blissfully peaceful, little rural idyll, with a mixture of pastureland, woodland, (as well as a lake and a stream), and somewhere where the welfare of the farm animals (and the farm guests of course!) comes first. Note: The llama farm is a small intimate affair, with just two tents available to rent, so booking ahead is advised! THE ACCOMMODATION: They have two clean and comfortable rooms at the farmhouse; a double and a twin (one double and one single) and outside in the gardens there are two spacious, nicely furnished, tents offer ‘back to nature’ escapism without the need to sacrifice comfort. The tents have room for up to 4 or 5 sharing, and are made up as either a double bed with a pull out day bed converting to another double, or a King size bed with two single beds. All of them are proper, framed, beds with Egyptian cotton bedding and you’ll find them reliably comfortable every night. You’ll have an insulated PVC layer on the tent windows for the winter as well as a mesh layer on the windows and doors to keep you cool and keep the mosquitoes at bay in the summer.  Plus, from late September, wood log burners are installed in the tents keeping them perfectly warm and cosy. Within 50m you’ll find the renovated barn where the shared bathroom facilities are, and include 2 separate toilets and a shower room. Outside of the tents there is a private seating area plus also, a little farther away, a large communal dining area next to READ MORE

HS Farm Waterpark is a fun Malaysian farm stay getaway in Johor, near to the popular tourist towns, and states, of Malacca and Muar. They have a waterpark, a well stocked fishing pond and a great range of exotic and not so exotic animals that guests are free to interact with and learn about. The Accommodation: They have a nice selection of comfortable, spacious, B&B rooms all with, at the very least flat screen TV and fan that can cater for differing numbers of guests. Their breakfast is buffet style with a wide range of options and they also serve good buffet meals throughout the day too. It’s a lively place with many activities on offer for both kids and adults, fishing, cycling, horse riding, swimming, water slides, spa facilities etc. In the evenings barbecues are organized with some karaoke sessions, and you’ll find all the staff welcoming and friendly. The Farm: The farm animals include sheep, cattle, porcupines, snakes, marmoset monkeys and horses. and you can arrange a nice, educational tour of the farm where guests get a chance to meet and learn about the many different animals that call the place home. You’ll also find a gift shop at the property too with many nature and farm based souvenirs available. The Location: Most guests take in the farmstay as a detour from the beautiful city of Melaka/Malacca one of Malaysia’s most popular tourist attractions and a virtual must see for anyone exploring southern Malaysia. It’s only about a 30-minute’s drive directly south along the coast roads from Melaka, very near where Johor and Melaka states meet, and it can make for a nice scenic drive. The regions main airport is Senai international Airport about 1 hour 45 minutes south again while Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur and its own international airport is a little over two hours away back up to the north. Note: Children are welcome but not pets, and though they have WiFi you only find it in some of the main, common areas. READ MORE

Casa de Cacela is a nicely relaxed farm hotel in Vila Nova de Cacela, Portugal, just minutes from the Algarve coast, with a range of B&B rooms among the fruit orchards and vegetable gardens which produce oranges, almonds, plums, loquats, and more. THE ACCOMMODATION: The comfortable rooms all come with private bathroom, satellite TV, and WiFi. There is also room service and guests can enjoy a drink at the hotel bar and lounge. And their breakfast is terrific, full of wholesome local produce some of which, like their great homemade jams, are made with ingredients straight from their farm. It has an outdoor swimming pool too in the gardens surrounded by sun loungers or you can rest under the shade of a tree in one of the hammocks. And guests can also arrange horse riding trips around the local area or rent bikes direct from the farm. THE LOCATION: Casa de Cacela is 50 kilometers from Faro International Airport, just 15 minutes from Tavira town centre, and is close to numerous good local golf courses. There are a few good beaches very nearby too; Manta Rota Beach and Terra Estreita Beach, for example, are both just under 3 kilometers away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Charming in every way. Location, gardens and pool, architecture, decor, attention to detail. Friendly and laid back atmosphere...” “Lovely relaxing week at this beautiful peaceful location – well recommended!! ” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT CASA DE CACELA: READ MORE

Just outside the village of Meaño in Galicia, Spain, and not far from the city of Pontevedra, Eirado Do Pino farmstay has clean and comfortable rooms surrounded by a vineyards and orchards, plus a small animal farm. All their rooms have TV, WiFi and private bathroom, there is a shared lounge and dining room too where you can order some really good, typically Galician meals with plenty of seafood and tapas. Guests are free to roam the farm, visit the on-site winery, and to sample some of the farm’s produce. The friendly owners can also arrange bike hire and horse riding for exploring the surrounding villages and lovely green Galician countryside. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We loved its location!!! the house between vineyards, the kindness of its owners, Alberto and Inés, and the dinners at the taverna…” “The passionate and pleasant way in which this family runs the business makes you feel at home. The facilities were very good and clean, and the food at the taverna was delicious….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT EIRADO DO PINO READ MORE

Daysy Hill has a selection of very nice, rustic style, self catering cottages and suites on its working farm near Port Campbell, VIC, next to the incredible scenery of the Great Ocean Road. THE ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation ranges from one bed suites (with spa bath) to spacious cottages which can sleep up to seven. Check them all out in detail on the booking page here. You’ll find all of them clean, comfortable, well equipped and nicely furnished. Most have some outside space and some also have lovely views over the surrounding farmland. Facilities include WiFi, TV, cosy gas log fires, well equipped kitchens and barbecues, plus outside there is a large covered barbecue/kitchen area which guests are also free to use. THE LOCATION: The farm is less than two minutes drive from the little town of Port Campbell and the Port Campbell National Park where you’ll find the famous Twelve Apostles section of the Great Ocean Road. The journey from Melbourne should take less than two and a half hours. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We loved it here! I feel lucky that I found this place – only a couple mins drive away from the main area but it felt like it was in a world of its own. We stayed in one of the spa studios and had a lovely balcony overlooking the gardens. Amazing room and the spa bath was lovely. Would love to come back again.…” “Wonderful surprise! What an adorable place! Just north of Port Campbell – one could walk if one were feeling athletic – with a pastoral view of cows in fields and the property’s exceptional gardens. They were blanketed in flowers in early spring and I bet that’s the normal state of affairs! Our Spa Suite was very romantic – gas fireplace stove and a true two-person spa tub with a shower in the bathroom – but with the little kitchenette, is practical, too. The owner family is very friendly and personable. Was a perfect central jump-off point for the Great Coast Road, the 12 Apostles Gourmet Trail, and Warrnambool. (And fabulous proximity to our favorite restaurant in the area, Forage on the Foreshore!) READ MORE

Between the popular towns of Kinsale and Clonakilty, Co.Cork, Ireland, Seafield Farmhouse is a 3 star B&B on a family run hillside cattle farm with views over Courtmacsherry Bay, and it can serve as a great base for exploring one of Ireland’s most beautiful regions; West Cork. Their rooms are comfortable and homely, all with private bathroom and tea and coffee making facilities. There is free WiFi throughout the building where you’ll find a nice dining and lounge area with a TV. Every morning you’ll be treated to a great traditional Irish breakfast, guests are welcome to wander around the farm and the friendly and helpful owners are always available to give advice about things to see and do in the local area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “It was the perfect 2 day stay for couple with dog on a travelling south and west Ireland holiday….” “Beautiful setting and views, quiet farming community, very comfortable room, fantastic breakfast and such a lovely friendly host. Highly recommended venue….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT SEAFIELD FARMHOUSE: READ MORE

On a hillside just outside Cividale del Friuli, and near to Udine,  Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Italy, Agriturismo l’Uva e le Stelle has very nice self catering accommodation in a 19th Century traditional stone farmhouse. The property is surrounded by the farms own vineyards and olive groves, which the guests are welcome to explore and get to know a bit about farm activities. And there is also a small spa in the garden, including a sauna and Turkish baths. All apartments come with a nice balcony and the ceilings are the traditional exposed oak-wood beams typical of a 19th Century farmhouse. There’s a dining/lounge area too, with a kitchenette, WiFi and satellite TV. The garden has barbecue facilities and plenty of garden furniture including sunbeds. And though the accommodation is self catering the friendly owners provide all guests with a free breakfast basket pack for the first two days. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Wonderful escape in nature: Everything was great, from the lovely position to the very kind staff. The flat was spacious and with all the comfort you need. The complimentary wine from their own vineyard was an extra pleasant surprise….” “Wonderful agriturismo with a beautiful pool and the most amazing setting….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO L’UVA E LE STELLE:   READ MORE

Just north of Tucson, Arizona and just 1.6 km from Saguaro National Park, this friendly desert dude ranch is famous for its horseback riding with great trail rides for everyone from novice to experienced. Lessons are of course given too and they’ve got a fun rodeo every Wednesday. But it’s got lots more too; An outdoor pool, an indoor hot tub, a fitness center, a tennis court, a business center and even a movie theater. Children will find plenty to entertain themselves with too. All their comfortable rooms and suites have en-suite bathroom and all come with a terrace as well as such features like an iPod docking station and a mini fridge. The food’s great too. They have a top quality breakfast with cooked and continental options available.  And later in the day a lunch and dinner buffet is available with drinks and snacks readily available anytime.   READ MORE

Monaci delle Terre Nere has a prime location in the foothills of Mt. Etna between Catania and Taormina. It is a gorgeous property, both the building itself (a beautifully restored 18th century-era villa) and the surrounding estate which comprises organic vineyards, olive groves and vegetable gardens, and has sweeping views over the Mediterranean 10km to the east. The gently elevated slopes that surround Mt. Etna produce some of Italy’s best wines and among them is the produce of the Monaci delle Terre Nere Estate. Under its Guido Coffa organic label it makes whites and reds from local grape varieties such as Carricante, a grape that can still only be found in the Etna wine region, and Nerello Mascalese. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a choice of rooms and suites at the main building and a number of detached suites and villas, converted from old farm outhouses, dotted around the estate. They range from 27 square meter classic double rooms to a 200 square meter, two-bedroom villa which can sleep up to seven with the help of two sofa beds in the lounge. All are spacious, bright, stylish and elegant, their interiors display a confident mix of the historical and the contemporary, though leaning more towards the latter – modern art trumps classic art on all walls for example – but overall not too much interferes with the grandiose historical charm of the place and having no TVs in any of the accommodation certainly helps. Despite the wealth of space on offer at the villas none have self catering facilities beyond coffee makers, kettles and mini-bars. The food here though is highly praised, and a major focus of the estate – Monaci delle Terre Nere is as well regarded for its food as its wines. It is not cheap though, be advised. Their on-site restaurant, which has a large outdoor terrace and sea views, is also fully organic with much of the ingredients coming fresh from the estate’s kitchen gardens. Their menu is proudly Sicilian and if you feel you might miss it when you’re gone you could join the chef’s regular cooking classes. Guests can also take advantage of the resident READ MORE

A great base for exploring the Snowdonia National Park, in beautiful North Wales, Tyddyn Du Farm Stay has a range of luxury cottage suites with hot tubs on its large organic farm. THE ACCOMMODATION: It’s B&B but all the accommodation comes with a fully equipped kitchenette, and though they are in beautifully traditional Welsh farmhouse style with exposed wooden beams and stone walls, they still have all modern comforts. They are spacious, very comfortable and come with flat screen TV and ipod docking station as standard plus a spa bath/jacuzzi in the bathroom. THE FARM: It’s an organic farm with the main business being sheep farming, but they also keep alpacas, mini goats, hens and a couple of shetland ponies. The animals are all friendly and the farm owners are always happy to show guests around, and let them feed the animals, collect eggs etc. THE LOCATION: The surrounding area , Snowdonia National Park, is famously beautiful with the U.K’s highest mountain Mt. Snowdon just about 30 miles away. Llyn Trawsfynydd Lake is close by too and the whole region is a hikers and nature lovers paradise. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “I can’t think of a single reason not to stay here! Beautiful cottage, very friendly and helpful host. Stunning location. I would absolutely love to stay here again, had the most relaxing weekend ever. Perfect stay….” “The accommodation was lovely, spacious and included little extras like fresh milk, eggs and a bath jacuzzi. The views were exquisite and the location was perfect. This was definitely the best place we stayed on our trip!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT TYDDYN DU FARM: READ MORE

This lovely family run agriturismo farm stay, about a half an hour north of Brindisi Apulia, sits on a peaceful hillside just outside Ostuni, one of southern Italy‘s most iconic cities, famous for its spectacular location and historical whitewashed houses. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a good selection of B&B rooms and self catering apartments, all traditionally styled, comfortable and clean with WiFi, flat screen satellite TV and private bathroom, plus the self catering apartments come with a kitchenette and lounge. While the gardens outside have a swimming pool, a children’s playground and plenty of space for outside dining or relaxing on the sun loungers and hammocks. Both the B&B and self catering accommodation comes with a fine traditional Italian breakfast every morning and you can also enjoy some great meals throughout the day at the farmhouse restaurant. THE FARM: The small farm produces olives as well as various fruits and vegetables. The owners produce their own extra virgin olive oil as well as various jams which they sell at the farm shop. You can arrange cooking classes at the farmhouse too, learn how to make olive oil, and join tasting sessions. The farm owners can also arrange tours of neighbouring vineyards and wineries, including wine tasting sessions. THE LOCATION: The gorgeous city of Ostuni is deservedly popular with tourists already but the entire surrounding area too is well worth exploring. The beautiful sandy beaches of the Adriatic are just ten minutes drive from the farm stay and a tour of the lovely, beautifully peaceful Puglian countryside is always thoroughly enjoyable, which you can also do by bike with free bicycle rental at the farm. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptionally peaceful, relaxing. Fabulous meals. Lovely, warm family and staff. Perfecto!!!.” “Amazing! This hotel was absolutely perfect. It exceeded our expectations and more! We definitely will be going back….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT MASSERIA SALINOLA:   READ MORE

Near the town of Muro Leccese, Puglia, Italy and about an hour from Brindisi airport, this very popular agriturismo farm stay has a range of B&B and self catering accommodation in an 18th century farmhouse surrounded by an olive oil and corn producing farm. All their apartments and studios are spacious, clean and comfortable with private bathroom, WiFi, flat screen TV and kitchenette, and outside guests can relax in the well kept gardens which has a swimming pool and a large outdoor dining area. They have a full restaurant on site with a choice of traditional local dishes, and the food is truly superb. They also offer cooking lessons for guests, as well as horse riding excursions, bicycle hire and swimming lessons. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Lovely warm welcome, very friendly staff, excellent food, very relaxing and stunning setting. Great pool too. Lots of excellent beaches and gorgeous towns to visit within a short drive….” “A delightful oasis with spectacular pool and friendly staff- home away from home!…” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT TENUTA SANT ANDREA: READ MORE

This friendly B&B farm stay is on a busy, working sheep farm in Hawarden, South Island, New Zealand, about 50 miles from Christchurch airport. They have a very spacious and comfortable suite with double bed, separate seating area plus veranda, en-suite bathroom and flat screen TV with satellite channels, and another self-catering cottage with equal facilities plus more space and a kitchen adjoining the farmhouse. There is free WiFi almost throughout, and they serve a hearty cooked breakfast or a continental option if you prefer, and they can offer other good home cooked meals for an extra charge throughout the rest of the day, even arranging packed lunches for hiking trips. The area is rightly well known for the outdoors and the friendly farm owners can advise you on hikes and cycle routes, and you can borrow their own bikes for free! There is plenty of fishing around and winter sports too, and you are of course welcome to store your ski equipment at the farm. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A homely farm stay with touches of luxury not normally provided by a B&B….” “What a special experience. We felt like part of the family…we went on a great hike through the sheep ranch. We felt like we had our own 5000 acre ranch. Outstanding hospitality and the rooms were both uniquely great. Don’t miss this place. We are coming back!!..” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT KARETU DOWNS:     READ MORE

S.Andrea is a spectacular Tuscan agriturismo in the little hamlet of Fabbrica, a half an hour from Florence. Its villa complex, which dates back to medieval times sits on a strategic hilltop and has incredible views over Chianti. Though they also have 5 rooms in the main building, the majority of its accommodation is in the form of rustic style, self-catering apartments in two separate sites each of which have gardens and outdoor swimming pools. The surrounding 1500 acre farm produces its own Chianti Classico wine and olive oil, and their restaurant is a great introduction to traditional Tuscan, and Italian food. THE ACCOMMODATION: You have a choice of double B&B rooms and various self catering apartments, to sleep up to six, at S.Andrea. The apartments, as mentioned, are not at the reception building which also houses the restaurant, but in their own semi-independent renovated villas. Both are surrounded by beautifully tended gardens and come with a pool, a barbecue and outdoor dining area, and a kid’s playground. The style is very much traditional Tuscan with terracotta floors, wood beamed ceilings and large stone fireplaces, but with all modern conveniences. Check out all the details on the booking page here. They are fully self catering but guests will be very tempted to try the excellent on-site restaurant – Osteria la Capanna del Gallo, and you can also hire a private chef for your apartment. Apart from lounging happily around the property and taking in the views, guests can partake in wine and olive oil tastings, cooking classes, tours of the farm, hire bikes (including e-bikes) or vespas, join a bike tour, and enjoy yoga, massages, reflexology and Ayurveda treatments. Lots of off-site activities can be arranged by the hotel too such as hot air balloon rides, horse riding, tennis, wine tours and tours of Florence and Siena etc. THE LOCATION: Villa S.Andrea dominates the ancient hamlet of Fabbrica, 10 km from San Casciano Val Di Pesa, and close to a great range of historical villages (the staff at S.Andrea will have plenty of recommendations and also offer tours) including Sant’Andrea in Percussina where you can visit the house, now a READ MORE

This peaceful, friendly farm stay near Sydney NSW, overlooks the Kangaroo Valley and has lodge style accommodation on a working horse & cattle farm with some really gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside. Horse riding is a big feature at the farmstay; you can arrange lessons and trail rides that are among Australia‘s most beautiful, into the Morton National Park right next door for example, through rainforests and even right up to the top of Mt. Moollootoo. Kids too can enjoy a ride on one of their ponies. THE ACCOMMODATION: The self catering accommodation is in the form of old style timber lodges; the bigger lodge can accommodate up to eight people, with two separate double bedrooms and four single bunk beds in the lounge area. There are also two bathrooms, a fully equipped open plan kitchen and lounge with an open log fire, and there’s a barbecue area just outside the door. The smaller mini lodge has an open plan lounge & kitchen, bathroom and a mezzanine level above with a queen size bed. The sofa in the lounge area also opens out into a double bed so it can a fit a total of four people. There’s a barbecue area just outside the door too. Note: For a digital detox there is no WiFi! PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM: It’s a working farm with a herd of cattle and dozens of horses. The owners are horse experts and enthusiasts, and have years of experience of horse riding, teaching and exploring the local area on horseback. The farm itself leads on to Mt. Moollootoo and has sections of open pasture land, rainforest and open bush that leads into Morton National Park. All of which makes it a really special place for horse riding and there are dozens of fantastic trails that the owners are always happy to guide you around. You can head up through the rainforest to the top of Mt Moollootoo from where the views are simply spectacular, taking in Morton Park, the Kangaroo River & Lake Yurunga. They have a few friendly READ MORE

Set within the boundaries of the the iconic North Yorkshire Moors, England, and very near both Scarborough and Whitby, this quality Yorkshire farmstay has 4-star accommodation on a full 200 acres of farmland in beautiful Harwood Dale. It is a blissfully peaceful setting ideal for a relaxing getaway. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a nice selection of comfortable rooms which all come with en suite bathroom, TV and WiFi. The farm’s tearooms and restaurant serves up great home made local food including a legendary Sunday roast. There is a games room and playground for the kids at the farm too, and they also even have a garden centre selling a good assortment of plants, seeds and flowers. Outside there are gardens and a small lake right in front of the farmhouse. THE FARM: The farm is a full 200 acres of prime Yorkshire countryside and contains a herd of rare highland cattle, even more rare curly haired pigs, sheep, ponies, hens and ducks. All the animals are friendly and well behaved and are well used to attention from guests. THE LOCATION: For those of you not yet familiar with God’s own country, and especially the vast North Yorkshire Moors, it is one of England’s most evocative and beautiful regions, and the Grainary Farmstay has a superb location sitting cosily among the green fields and woodlands of Harwood Dale between the Moors and the North Sea coast. There are a huge amount of great places for walking, hiking and cycling around the area, with one of the numerous highlights being the atmospheric Harwood Dale Forest a great place to find all sorts of native wildlife, and just a few minutes away from the farmstay. The coast is very near too and you can explore some of beautiful coastal paths with views over the North Sea. Both Scarborough and Whitby are less than 20 minutes drive away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Beautiful setting, lovely comfortable room and friendly staff. Second time I have visited and so happy to have returned. Only wish I could have stayed longer….” “The property is lovely in every way. The breakfast had lots of choice, to every taste. My children READ MORE

For a healthy and relaxing holiday break in the mountains of Austria’s East Tyrol region, Oberschupferhof might be a good choice. It is a self catering holiday home on a working organic farm 1,378 meters above sea level in some of the most stunning scenery this beautiful country can offer. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farmhouse is quite new but built in traditional Austrian style, with some great Tyrolean wood craftmanship on display. There is a full 300 m² of space to enjoy, and can sleep up to seven people. The interiors are all wood paneled, beautifully so, and it gives a very much alpine flavour to the house. There are four bedrooms, a large living room and dining area with cable TV, a fully equipped kitchen with, amongst other features, a traditional Tyrolean tiled stove, three bathrooms (two of which have a bathtub), four toilets, and lots of outside space including a terrace with barbecue facilities and a play area for children. You are free to wander the farm, which even has its own little chapel and where you can meet some of the friendly animals, including their Tyrolean Grey cattle, and help yourself to some of the organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and berries that grow there. You’ll find the owners friendly and hospitable too and though the accommodation is self catering they can deliver you fresh bread every morning if you so need. THE LOCATION: If you thirst for adventure and for even more stunning views you can go hiking along some of the many mountain trails around and in winter the area is a well known centre for skiing, snow boarding etc. with the Hochpustertal Valley ski area just 7 km away, (and there’s a free shuttle bus stop just 300 meters from the farmhouse). The nearest village is Außervillgraten, just over one km away where you’ll find a couple of shops and restaurants. This area is also of course very close to the Italian border and its South Tyrol region with the town of Prato Alla Drava, in Italy’s Bolzano province being just 13 km away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Best holiday ever! Like a dream. Beautiful house, wonderful hosts, nature READ MORE

Just outside Altenmarkt im Pongau, in the heart of Salzburg, Austria’s winter sports region,  Romantische Appartements Sinnhubbauer is a beautifully situated organic farm stay, popular with families on holidays in summer and in winter as a base for skiing, with its easy access to the Ski Amadé and Zauchensee ski areas. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have both B&B rooms and self catering apartments in their traditional Austrian farmhouse and you’ll find all of them super clean, comfortable and modern, with flat screen TV, WiFi, private bathroom and a nice range of stylish wooden furniture. The B&B guests will be treated to a great breakfast every morning which includes organic ingredients from the farm like eggs and their own home made honey, yoghurt and jams. Outside in the gardens there is a large and very fun children’s playground with a game hut, swings, a sandpit, slides, go-carts, scooters, toy tractors, table football and table tennis. The farm is a working organic farm which is mainly busy with the production of milk from its around 40 dairy cattle. It has a number of different other animals too though; pigs, goats, rabbits, ducks and hens. There are some beehives at the farm too and it grows a range of organic fruits and vegetables. THE LOCATION: The area surrounding the farm is classic Salzburg, and famously beautiful in summer or winter; skiing and other winter sports dominate in winter, with some important resorts very near by, Ski Amadé and Zauchensee, for example, as well as a cross country ski route and a winter hiking trail right next to the farm. The nearest town is Altenmarkt im Pongau, less than 3km down the road. There you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops and bars and it gets busy with tourists both summer and winter. In summer there is some really great hiking and mountain biking trails around as well as fishing and horse riding. The farm owners will have plenty of recommendations for you and can arrange fishing and cycling trips from the farm, and they let you use their bikes for free. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Beautiful place. Nature surroundings, perfectly clean, outside space for kids, animals, possibility to READ MORE

North of the popular tourist town of Oban in the Scottish Highlands, Shenavallie Farm Stay has cosy and comfortable B&B rooms surrounded by beautiful, wild countryside and has a herd of famous Scottish Highland cattle just down the road on its pasture land which runs all the way down to the sea. Their rooms are all en-suite, with satellite TV, WiFi and a nice balcony overlooking the garden. There is a common dining and lounge area area  too where guests are treated to a hearty breakfast each morning. The surroundings are terrific for hiking and biking, and the farm itself, which guests are free to wander, has its own sea shore where you can go swimming or kayaking too. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This was an excellent place to stay and met our needs perfectly. The host was incredibly helpful….” “Exceptional Great Scottish cooked breakfast. The location is stunning with views across the farm fields and to the mountains. We visited in May when Highland Cattle had given birth to new calves. Lovely farm walk to beach in about 7 mins….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT SHENAVALLIE FARM: READ MORE

In Free State Province just outside the town of Fouriesburg, where South Africa meets Lesotho. Pumula Guest Farm Stay is a working farm with self-catering cottages and apartments in a wonderfully relaxing and peaceful environment. They all have a full kitchen and a lounge with an open fireplace and outside, they all have their own BBQ facilities and patio and there’s an outdoor swimming pool too. Guests are free to wander the farm and the friendly owners are always willing to show you around and advise about further travel around the area, like the Golden Gate Highlands National Park for example, about 70 kilometres away from the farm. Note: There’s no internet at this guest farm! WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A very quiet, tranquil, relaxing place, beautiful mountain setting close to the Lesotho border post, very friendly host….” “Perfect place. We really recommend. Clean, wood for fireplace, kitchen really well equipped, big flat, well furnished, private parking, lovely place, host really nice…..” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT PUMULA GUEST FARM: READ MORE

The Villa of Permaculture is a luxury farm stay resort surrounded by lush organic orchards and vegetable gardens in Shoufeng, Hualien County, on Taiwan’s peaceful east coast. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a range of B&B rooms and suites which are all super spacious, clean and modern, and come with WiFi, flat screen TV and private bathroom with bathtub. Most of them will also have a balcony or terrace with an outdoor seating area too. They serve up a very good and generous organic breakfast in the morning and you can also order various other meals throughout the day. THE FARM: Outside you’ll find barbecue facilites and a children’s playground, as well as various chickens, hens and ducks around the large gardens and lake, which are beautifully tended to, just like the villa itself.  It is run on permaculture principles and the hospitable owners are always willing to explain the processes involved, including their solar power systems and the water cooling pond system which serves as air conditioning in summer. THE LOCATION: You can go fishing on the lake out the front, and can get to other nearby rivers and lakes using free bicycle hire from the villa, a good choice being the lovely Liyu Lake about 12 km away. Around the mainly rural Shoufeng township you’ll find other tourist attractions too; the Taroko Gorge, or marble gorge as it is known, along with its associated national park, the Farglory Ocean Park and of course there is plenty of beautiful landscapes as well as an abundance of hot springs around the rightly famous East Rift Valley National Scenic Area. The Villa of Permaculture can arrange shuttle pick up and drop offs from various points around the area should you need, just let them know before arrival. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Very warm welcome from the staff! Excellent choice for our family….” “The villa environment is beautiful and picturesque, and they provide bicycles for leisure rides round the area – you can have a coffee at the cafe by the lake. The room is big, clean and importantly a very good quality mattress. Will go back again….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS READ MORE

Cold Moon Farmstay has comfortable B&B rooms on its 25 acre child friendly family farm, just 3 miles from the Stratton Ski Resort, and less than 20 from the town of Manchester in the beautifully rural south of Vermont, USA. The Accommodation: There are five rooms and suites to choose from, with the largest of the the suites sleeping up to five people. They are all spacious, clean and comfortable with a homely, old style, charm. There is a sociable common lounge at the farmhouse with an open fireplace, TV and various board games, and also a well stocked library, a small gym and a billiards room. Outside in the gardens you’ll find a dining area with an outdoor fireplace and an 8 person hot tub. The food is particularly good at Cold Moon, their breakfast is legendary and they serve up very good, wholesome, evening meals for their guests too, using, much as possible, ingredients from their own farm. The Farm: The farm is only 25 acres but has a lot going on. There are over 20 goats there, plus pigs, ducks sheep, hens, vegetable gardens and a beehive. Guests are welcome to have a look around, all the animals are friendly and tame and used to interacting with both adults and children. Guests can also join in some of the daily farm chores if they like, like collecting eggs for the breakfast etc. They produce a lot of good fresh food at the farm which you can buy to take home at the farm store. Lots of duck and hen eggs, chicken and pork, sausages, various freshly baked breads, seasonal vegetables & herbs, jams, jellies and plenty more. The Location: Right by the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests of South Vermont the area is famously peaceful and scenic and is a pretty popular place with nature lovers and adventure sports enthusiasts in both winter and summer. The farm itself is close to plenty of good hiking and biking trails (you can hire bikes from the farm), and just three miles from the well known Stratton Ski Resort. READ MORE

Wydon Farm has four star B&B accommodation on a 366 acre working cattle farm on the Bellister National Trust Estate, close to Haltwhistle, Corbridge, Haydon Bridge and the infamous Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, U.K. The Accommodation: They have three traditional style rooms, all of which are very comfortable and spacious and come with private bathroom, TV and WiFi, and one room has its own whirlpool bath. Their full English breakfast is generous and good, with the eggs coming from the farm’s own hens, and they can offer a nice choice of cereals, yoghurt and fruit too. Guests are welcome to bring their dog to stay at the farm, just phone before you arrive to arrange. The Farm: The farm is a working cattle farm stretching across nearly four hundred acres of prime agricultural land on the Bellister Estate, a beautifully peaceful place with a history going back to the 13th-century. These days the Estate has a small 19th-century mansion house alongside the ruins of a 14th-century tower. The Location: The infamous Hadrian’s Wall of course gets number one billing in this area and is only about ten minutes drive from the farmstay, but there are other Roman ruins around too in this richly historic area too, at Vindolanda, Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald, and they can all be reached with the very convenient Hadrian’s Wall Bus Service which has a stop about a mile away from the farmstay. Europe’s largest man made lake at Kielder Water is also easily reachable from the farmstay. As is the spectacular Alnwick Castle with its famous gardens which make a lovely day out, Fishing is a popular activity around here and the farm has its own pitch on the South Tyne River which is reputed to be among the best salmon rivers in the country, and which guests are welcome to use. The surrounding area is also great for hiking and cycling, especially around the hills and moors of the Northumberland National Park and Kielder Forest Park, and if you want to venture farther afield Northumberland has miles of gorgeous coastline including the ancient, eerily beautiful, monastic site of Lindisfarne and the bird life filled nature reserve at Farne READ MORE